banner

Yangon gov’t spends over Ks 48 billion on electricity sector in eight FYs

Writer: Pyae Phyo Aung
A worker installs power grid in Yangon. (photo-Pyae Phyo Aung)

 

During eight fiscal years, Yangon region government spent over Ks 48 billion on the electricity sector, according to the budget for April to September of 2017-2018 fiscal year.

According to the budget years from 2011-2012 unitl the 2018 FY, the electricity sector spent Ks 48290.929 million–Ks-8.125 million in 2011-2012 FY, Ks 158.587 million in 2012-2013 FY, Ks 50 million in 2013-2014 FY, Ks 390 million in 2014-2015 FY, Ks 8084.689 million in 2015-2016 FY, Ks 30206.846 million in 2016-2017 FY and Ks 2521.050 million in 2017-2018 FY and Ks 6853.301 million from April to September 2018.

The NLD-led government has been struggling for the power supply sector. The region’s government can distribute power to townships in Yangon to a certain extent, said Yangon Region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein at a press conference on Yangon region government undertakings in office, on August 24.

The government’s electricity sector is running at a loss. The more losses the government suffers, the more power it distributes. The region government will discuss with the Union government on the expansion of electricity sector and other future tasks.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, the nationwide power production reached a record high of 3224.9 megawatts on August 27, this year. Power production units hit 61094.5 megawatt hours a day. Yangon’s power consumption has reached 1335.2 megawatts.

On August 27 last year, the nationwide power production reached 2744.9 megawatts.

The country is generating power for the public and industrial uses from 17 hydro-power plants and 15 thermal power plants. The annual power consumption rate has been increased by 15 per cent.

The country needs to generate additional 1,903 MW as the power consumption rate is expected to reach 5,092 MW in 2020-2021. The government is implementing hydro power plants, gas-fired power plants and solar-powered power plants in order to satisfy increasing power demands.

The country’s highest power production peaked around 3,200 megawatts. Yangon consumes more than 1,350 MW while Mandalay require more than 550 MW. Other regions combined needs more than 1,200 MW meaning that Yangon and Mandalay accounts for 35-40 per cent of the power consumption by industries and other regions for 21 per cent, according to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.