Minister warns of more power woes in Yangon

Minister warns of more power woes in Yangon

By Ye Mon   |   Thursday, 01 May 2014

Despite a recent rise in rates, and efforts to increase supply, Yangon Region residents will continue to experience power cuts, the regional electricity ministry has cautioned. The news came in response to a question raised in the regional hluttaw by Dagon Seikkan MP U Thein Kyaw Aung on April 28.

"We are replacing some old electricity cables and much remains to be done. So sometimes electric power will be reduced or cut off," said Minister U Nyan Tun Oo, adding that regional daytime use was 847.71MW, and 779.84MW at night during the hot season, with a possible 5 percent or 50MW rise to come.

New rates introduced on April 1 will see households pay K35 per unit up to 100 units, K40 per unit up to 200 units, and K50 for units in excess of 200. Industrial users pay K75 per unit up to 500 units, K100 from 501 to 10,000 units, K125 from 10,001 to 50,000 units, and K150 from 50,001 to 300,000 units. Above 300,000 units, the unit price will drop to K100.

The electricity ministry has built new natural-gas power stations to cope with the anticipated increase in use and to try to avoid the frequent blackouts Yangon has known in the past.

These include 150MW stations in Thaketa, Hlawga and Ywarma, a 120MW station in Ahlone, and two 120MW stations and a 240MW plant in Ywarma.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/05/03/minister-warns-of-more-power-woes-in-yangon/