Union Electric Power Minister on study tour of hydro, wind power projects in China

Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Electric Power U Thaung Han visited Kunming and Beijing to study the power generation processes at the invitation of the People’s Republic of China from 17 and 22 March.
During the visit, the Union minister held a coordination meeting on bilateral trade with Mr Wang Yubo, Governor of Yunnan Provincial Government and Joint Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party on 20 March.
At the meeting, the Union minister talked about the Pauk-Phaw relationship between the two countries, support of Myanmar in the projects of Chinese investors, invitations to further investors as the country processes resources for hydro, solar and wind power generation, discussions on small-scale and large-scale hydropower projects and China-Myanmar cross-border power connection in 2024.
Then, the governor of the Yunnan Provincial Government stressed the understanding of the challenges of Myanmar and bilateral cooperation in new energy sectors approved in principle by the Yunnan Provincial Government and other matters.
On 21 March, the Union minister met the deputy director of the National Energy Administration (NEA) Mr Ren Jing Dong at the office of NEA.
During the meeting, the Union minister said Myanmar has drafted Master Plan for nationwide electrification in 2030. Despite the plan, there are still power needs in the country for uneven production and consumption rate. Therefore, the government makes efforts to generate power using coal in addition to hydropower, solar and wind to meet the power needs. The Chinese investors also provide assistance in such operations. The proper measures are also being taken to meet the power needs in 2025 and the NEA should permit the investors more and conduct technological exchange and training courses to develop human resources.
Then, Mr Ren Jin Dong talked about the implementation of cross-border power connection and pledged to support the ongoing and further projects of the two countries and to enhance the strategic relations as 2023 is the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China-Myanmar and the 10th anniversary of Belt and Road between two countries.
On 18 March, the Union minister and party observed the 16,000-MW Baihetan hydropower plant equipped with sixteen 1,000-MW turbines in Yunnan Province and the 390 MW wind power project of Yunnan Provincial Energy Investment Group (YEIG) on 19 March.
On 22 March, the Union minister and party attended the China-Myanmar Power Cooperation Roundtable Talk held by the Foreign Relations Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. During the meeting, the Union minister discussed with Chinese partner companies of the ministry for the hydropower project, solar power project, wind power project and power transmission project. —MNA/KTZH