Coal-fired power station project to halt if gov’t disapproves

YANGON—Kaung Myat Thaw Myay Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Myanmar’s conglomerate Asia World, said it would halt a project to build several coal-fired power plants in Kungyangun Township if the government does not approve, according to the project’s general manager.

The company organized a meeting with residents of the project area at Thaungkon Village on Thursday (February 27).

“It is just at the MoU signing stage currently. According to the MoU, environmental and social impact assessments (EISIA) are just underway. After the assessment reports come out, they will be submitted to the government. Only if the government approves it will we continue. If not, the project cannot be implemented,” said general manager Myint Oo.

In carrying out the project, the company plans to cooperate with international firms from four countries and is likely to use Chinese or Japanese technologies.

“After the EISIA reports are presented to the government, they will be exposed to the local people. Only after getting their agreement will we propose to the government which technology should be employed, and which companies and which countries will be involved in the project. Currently, we plan to work with four countries. Japan, China, South Korea and Australia are very likely. For technology, it may be Chinese or Japanese. But, it’s still too early to name which technology,” Myint Oo added.

Meanwhile, Nippon Koei Company is conducting environmental and social impact assessments for the project, while Singapore-based Bell Pottinger is conducting field studies so as to connect with international companies.

“In today’s meeting, I think they did not answer our questions clearly. They said they would conduct tests on our drinking water. But we are drinking rainwater. We asked them, ‘If the rains become toxic, what would they do?’ They replied, ‘No worry, for [they] will test everything.’ We asked if the project would be stopped if the government says it should stop. They said this question can be answered only after consulting experts,” said Maung Htay from Thaungkon Village, who attended the meeting on Thursday.

According to the coal-fired power station project plan, two 150 MW power plants will be built in the first stage; three 330 MW power plants in the second stage; and three 660 MW power plants in the third stage. Totally, the project will produce 3,270 mega watts. It also includes construction of a jetty to transport 20,000 tonnes of coal.

source: Eleven Myanmar

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