Myanmar to buy electricity from China

Yangon, April 26 (IANS) Myanmar will buy back 100 megawatts of electricity from China, a major investor in the country's hydro-power projects and receives bulk of the power generated from these plants.

The move will help mitigate the power crisis in the Yangon region, Power Minister Nyan Tun Oo said in reply to questions by Yangon Assembly legislators Wednesday, Mizzima News reported.

"We had to implement load shedding system this year because the power demand has increased," he said.

"We reduced the power supply to industrial zones to augment the shortages in residential areas," Nyan said.

Inadequate grid system and outdated infrastructure have compounded the power problem.

The minister said the power demand in the Yangon region was about 600 megawatts, but it has increased to 700 megawatts this year.

Nyan said the government will boost gas supply to the power plants in Kyunchaung, Mann, Shwetaung, Myanaung and Thaton so they can run in full capacity to generate more power. Currently, the plants are running below capacity due to lack of gas.

The government will also build more power stations for supplying electricity to factories, businesses and residential areas, he added.

--Indo-Asian news Service

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