YANGON, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Myanmar launched its largest hydropower plant of Yeywa Wednesday in northern Mandalay region, which is believed to contribute much to the development of the country's industrial sector and fulfil domestic electricity demand, China's Xinhua news agency reported.
The RCC embankment and Yeywa hydropower plant project was implemented by the Ministry of Electric Power-1 and the project involved contract by the CGGC International of the Gezhouba Group and China's SINOHYDRO Corporation.
The Yeywa dam is not only the first ever RCC facility in Myanmar but also the third largest RCC dam across the world, experts said, adding that the Yeywa hydropower plant is the 15th facility of its kind in the country.
Lying on the Myitnge River, 50 km southeast of Mandalay city, the 790-megawatt (mw) Yeywa hydropower plant was installed with four 197.5 mw generators that will generate 3.55 billion kilowatt- hours of electricity annually to fulfill electricity need of the nation.
The project, which costs about US$600 million, started in 2001 lasting for 10 years and the No. 1 generator started functioning in February 2010, No. 2 in July 2010, No. 3 in October and No. 4 on the day of total inauguration.
The completion of the project adds generating capacity to the country's total by nearly 50 percent, contributing to easing the country's electricity shortage and playing an important role in development of central Myanmar and its socio-economy as a whole.
The Yeywa hydropower plant is said to mainly distribute electricity to the commercial city of Yangon running short of electricity.
With development of the nation, electricity is in high demand and Myanmar claimed that all-out efforts were made on self-reliant basis in a short time for generating electricity that is essential for daily socio-economic life of the people and in building the industrialised nation.
Myanmar Prime Minister U Thein Sein, who inaugurated the plant, told the ceremony that although the nation is rich in water resources that can generate hydropower according to the geographical condition, Myanmar could generate 529.1 mw across the nation before 1988 due to many limitations such as the need of huge investment and long construction period.
As generating of electricity has been speeded up after 1988, 15 hydropower plants including the present Yeywa's, one coal-fired power plant and 15 gas-power plants totaling 31 across the nation are now generating 3,045 mw, he disclosed.
In addition, out of the ongoing hydropower projects, Shwegyin's that can generate 75 mw and Kunchaung's that can yield 60 mw are expected to be launched soon.
According to official statistics, installed capacity of 62 ongoing power stations totaled 41,393 mw with another one 25 mw plant being planned.
Upon completion of all the plants, Myanmar sees 44,267 mw of installed capacity with 94 power stations, generating more than 254 billion kilowatt-hours annually.
Meanwhile, according to other official report, a Japanese company, High Tech Concrete Technology Co Ltd, reached a contract with Myanmar in May this year on concrete work of Upper Yeywa hydropower project which is a follow-up one of the Yeywa project.
Moreover, four companies have signed a memorandum of understanding in April this year to jointly implement another giant hydropower project originally agreed between the electric power authorities of Myanmar and Thailand four years ago.
The Hutgyi hydropower project will be implemented among the Department of Hydropower Planning of the Myanmar Ministry of Electric Power-1, SINOHYDRO Corporation Ltd of China, EGAT International Co Ltd of Thailand and International Group of Entrepreneur Co Ltd.
Experts of Myanmar and Thailand have made initial survey on some river ports along Myanmar's Thanlwin River in preparation to build the hydropower plant already agreed in December 2005 between Myanmar and Thailand.
Soil tests on banks of some three ports along the river in southeastern Kayin state were carried out then by experts of Myanmar and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to build the Hutgyi hydropower plant under an agreement signed in December 2005.
The Hutgyi hydropower plant will consist of a 600 megawatt (mw) turbine that can produce 3.82 billion kilowatt hours (kwh) yearly.
The project constitutes part of those on the Thanlwin and Tanintharyi Rivers agreed earlier between Myanmar and Thailand in June 2005.
Furthermore, the Myanmar government is also encouraging local private companies to invest in hydropower projects to share the government's efforts in fulfilling the country's growing electric power demand.
-- BERNAMA
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