Construction of a 220MW solar power station in Myanmar (Burma) will get under way in the first quarter of next year.
Thailand’s Green Earth Power recently announced Black & Veatch will be providing design and consultancy services for the project; which will be built on a 300-hectare site in Minbu, Magway region.
“Electricity is an urgent priority in Myanmar and has serious implications on economic and social progress,” said Ric O’Connell, International Renewable Energy Director at Black & Veatch.
“As solar facilities can be built rapidly, it is an excellent alternative to quickly add power to the grid and ensure meaningful impacts on quality of life.”
Electricity generated by the facility will be sold by Green Earth Power to Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power under a solar PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).
Green Earth Power originally announced it would be developing the Myanmar’s first solar power plant in 2013. At that point in time, the facility was to be 210MW. Construction of the slightly trimmed-down facility will occur in three stages over 18 months according to previous reports.
Myanmar relies heavily on hydropower for its electricity generation and its power sector fails to meet the country’s needs. More than 75 percent of Myanmar’s population has no access to electricity.
With a forecasted GDP growth of ~7–8%, energy is a critical issue; even in areas connected to the mains grid.
The installed power generation capacity of Myanmar in 2014 was around 3800 MW; so the solar project will be providing a significant boost for the country – but it will need a lot more.
“With forecasted increase of ~15% per year, the annual demand is forecasted to reach ~ 15000 MWe by 2030 in a high growth scenario,” says a 2014 study (PDF). “To match this, the country will need on average 800 to 1000 MWe additions to its power generation capacity every year.”
However, Myanmar’s Government aims to increase electricity production capacity by much more; to help reach the many citizens without access to mains power. It has set a target of 30,000 MW generation by 2030.
