Burmese Junta Invests $800 Million in Three Hydropower Projects in Arakan
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Sittwe: The Burmese military government has invested $800 million in three hydropower projects in Arakan State, and the projects began in 2007, Power No. 1 Minister Colonel Zaw Min was quoted as saying in a local journal.
Colonel Zaw Min made the statement while attending as a chief guest the opening ceremony of the railway route between Pakkhaku and Kyunt Chaung in Burma proper.
He told the local journalists at the ceremony that three hydropower projects are being constructed in Arakan State - Tha Htay Chaung in Thandwe Township, Sai Din in Buthidaung Township, and Lay Myo River in Myin Bya and Mrauk U Township.
The authority estimated that Tha Htay Chaung power plant will generate 111 megawatts, Sai Din will produce 76 megawatts, and Ly Myo will produce 500 megawatts of electricity.
The construction of Tha Htay Chaung power plant started in 2007 while the Sai Din power plant was started in 2009. Another Lay Myo River hydropower plant is now in the initial phases of planning.
The minister also told the journalists at the ceremony that the power from the three projects will be supplied to other states and divisions in Burma because Arakan State only has a need for 30 megawatts for the whole state.
After receiving the news, Narinjara asked one engineer from the electricity department in Sittwe about the minister's claim that 30 megawatts was sufficient for Arakan State.
He replied that Arakan State only uses 30 megawatts of power, but this only supplies power for three hours a day for the towns in Arakan, and does not include rural areas. If the authority wishes to supply power to all of Arakan State, at least 200 megawatts would be needed.
Another retired worker from the electricity department who is currently in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, said that between 45 or 50 megawatts are needed in Cox's Bazar town alone due to the many factories and mills. He also agreed that at least 200 megawatts would be needed if Arakan State were to have a regular electricity supply.
Despite the amount of capital the military government has been investing in hydropower in Arakan, the Arakanese people are uncertain that they will get power they need from the plants to help develop their livelihoods and standard of living, said one analyst.
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