Magway Region’s electrification areas registered only 35 per cent in August 2020. The electricity access increased up to 48.52 per cent in January 2021 under the successful implementation of Myanmar National Electrification Project (NEP) in the short term, Magway Region’s Electrical Engineering office data showed.
The country’s NEP is aiming to extend electricity coverage to all the households across the country, with US$390 million loans of World Bank. Under the NEP, more than 1,050 villages have the electric supply in Magway Region, said engineer U Htaung Zo Khaing.
The electrification work in the two or three miles of the system is under phase 1 of the region, covering 664 villages. Phase 2 of the region includes works within three to five miles of the system with 386 villages.
“A total of 530 villages get electricity access under phase 1 for now. The land problem and other complaints impeded the electrification works in the remaining villages. However, it will be sorted out soon. The survey has started with tender winning companies under phase 2. It is scheduled to complete within six to nine months. The necessary electrical appliances and equipment have arrived in the region,” he added.
In the previous years, the villagers only depended on self-help electrification. The villagers who still do not have electric supply should agree to that project at all when the government is leading the electrification project, he shared his opinion.
“There are land problems to install the electric poles. We are facing difficulties with landowners and municipals to install them,” he stressed. — Zayyatu (Magway) (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
