Myanmar, Laos ink MoU amendment on power cooperation, Notice to Proceed (NTP) for cross-border power project

The MoU amendment signing ceremony on Myanmar-Laos Power Cooperation between the Ministry of Electric Power of Myanmar and the Ministry of Energy and Mine of Lao People’s Democratic Republic and signing ceremony of Notice to Proceed (NTP) to conduct a feasibility study on cross-border power project to hand over to Consortium of PISASAI Energy and Mine Investment Pte Ltd and Primus Sapphire Power Company Limited were held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
First, State Administration Council Member Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Transport and Communications Admiral Tin Aung San said Myanmar and Laos are members of ASEAN and GMS and working together closely for regional affairs. According to the MoU made on 15 January 2018, it worked together with PISASAI and Mine Investment Pte Ltd and Primus Sapphire Power Company Limited during five years and it made progresses in power transmission/selling project. Besides the two companies, the two governments should work together closely.
Then, Union Minister for Electric Power U Thaung Han said Myanmar and Laos will conduct a feasibility study on connecting up to 600MW between the two countries by extending the MoU for another five years and Mekong hydropower project development programmes. The cross-border power project will be reached Kengtung in 2024 and Meiktila in 2026 and it will support the electrification of Myanmar.
After that, Laos Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone said the two countries approved extending the MoU on electricity cooperation for five years at the 5th Joint Working Committee (JWC) meeting and the 6th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting. The MoU includes a cross-border power project and cooperation for the hydropower project. Enhancing bilateral cooperation in the power sector will accelerate the friendship and sector-wise development of the two countries.
Then, the Union Minister and Lao Minister signed the MoU Amendment and exchanged it. Director-General U Soe Myint and officials of PISASAI Energy and Mine Investment Pte Ltd and Primus Sapphire Power Company Limited also signed the Notice to Proceed (NTP) and exchanged it.
The Union Minister and Laos Minister then had commemorative photos taken and exchanged gifts.
In the evening, the dinner party was held for the guests. — MNA/KTZH