Xinhua News Agency
April 19, 2001

Burma to build five more hydropower dams.

YANGON — Electric power generated by the state-run Myanma Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE), the main electricity supplier of the country, totaled 5.028 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) in 2000, 17 percent more than in 1999, said the latest issue of the government Economic Indicators. Meanwhile, the installed generating capacity of the MEPE reached 1,172 megawatts (mw) at the end of 2000.

According to the MEPE, since 1988, Myanmar’s electric power installed generating capacity has increased by 509 mw, of which that of natural gas power plants rose by 255 mw, while that of steam power ones by 143 mw and that of hydropower ones by 111 mw. Myanmar is implementing five more hydropower plants — Paunglaung, Zaungtu, Mone, Thaphanseik and Maipan. Three of them are being built by China. Upon their completion, the five power plants will add 407 mw to Myanmar’s installed generating capacity and is expected to greatly ease the serious electricity shortage problem of the country.