Meeting on Myanmar-Russia projects held in Nay Pyi Taw

The Ministry of Electric Power organized a meeting on projects to be implemented between the Ministry of Electric Power, Ministry of Science and Technology and Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
It was attended by Union Minister for Electric Power U Thaung Han, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, Deputy Minister of Electric Power Dr Aung Zeya, departmental heads, Russian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Nikolay Listopadov, Deputy Director-General of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Mr Nikolay Spasskiy and other relevant officials.
First, the MoEP Union minister said the MoST and MoEP signed the roadmap with the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom on 6 September during the occasion of the seventh Eastern Economic Forum-EEF that was held between 5 and 8 September in Russia. Moreover, the Department of Electric Power and Planning under MoEP made NDA to conduct a feasibility study for Russia-Myanmar Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Projects with Rosatom Energy Projects, Joint Stock Company on 21 November during the visit to Russia for ATOMEXPO -2022 and the MoU on 22 November. The discussions on potential sites to launch a feasibility study for a thermal power plant project were also held and the needed terms of reference-TOR for that feasibility study will be signed at today’s meeting.
The Union minister continued that the fundamental points for SMR will be found with the working groups. The representatives of Rosatom completed their ground study on wind power and small-scale hydropower to be generated in Myanmar. The study shows there are six potential places for wind power projects that can generate over 8,100 megawatts and the Rosatom should cooperate in wind power projects as quickly as possible. Then, he appreciated the assistance of Russia during 75 -year- old Russia-Myanmar relations.
Afterwards, the MoST Union minister also said the ministry will work with the experts of Rosatom in distributing technical awareness programmes to Myanmar people to gain a positive attitude.
Then, the deputy director-general of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom expressed their experiences in establishing thermal power plant projects. He said the current project will generate power in Myanmar for a long time and the processes of signing the agreement will be carried out step by step.
The Russian ambassador also said the long-term projects can be implemented through bilateral cooperation and the current thermal power plant project will run for a long time without taking much time for construction.
Then, the Ministry of Science and Technology, on behalf of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and Rosatom, on behalf of the Russian Federation, signed the draft IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) and the Department of Electric Power and Planning under MoEP signed terms of reference-TOR for a feasibility study on small modular reactor project with Rosatom Energy Project, Joint Stock Company, while the Joint Communication Plan for increasing public acceptance of atomic technologies in Myanmar by Atomic Energy Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Rosatom International Network.
The two parties enjoyed lunch after taking photos. — MNA/KTZH