Opening speech of President U Win Myint at the ceremony commemorating the occasion of successful 50% countrywise power supply service (13th December 2019)


Ministry of Information/ Naypyitaw / December 14, 2019


FIRST of all, I would like to extend my warm greetings to the state leaders, Union Ministers, deputy ministers, departmental heads, authorities of the companies, guests, local people, ladies and gentlemen, auspiciousness to you all.

Today is a day of great significance, marking the occasion of successful 50% power supply service to all over our country. It goes without saying that electricity and road transportation are included among the necessities for the development of our country. Naturally, we have been striving for the boosting up of the power supply service since we have been handed over the state duty.

We all know that electricity and energy are the main sectors for enabling our country to stand as a modern, developed state, and also for the development of the social life of our people. So we have laid down policies, strategies and plans for the development of the sectors of electricity and energy, sustainable supply of the demands in these sectors, which have been increasing from year to year, for the development of the state economy, and have been implementing both short-term and long-term plans.

In order to implement the short-term and long-term plans for the development of our country, aiming at the goals of developing the all-inclusive, sustainable economy, as outlined in the Global Sustainable Development Goals_SDGs), providing full labour employment, offering productive, decent jobs, building strong infrastructure, establishing all-inclusive, sustainable industrialization, and giving support to innovations, balancing these goals with others, we have already drawn the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan _ MSDP 2018-2030. This MSDP had laid down the strategic plan, which covers sustainable development and the construction of the prioritized infrastructures supporting various forms of economic enterprises.

In implementing the task programmes in line with the MSDP, we have cooperated and collaborated with the local private sectors and the oversea organizations harmoniously in such various sectors as drawing the national-level plans, amending the laws and bylaws, seeking budget aids, constructing the infrastructures for power supply, which is necessary all over the country.

In the present, the power supply in Myanmar has been increasingly utilized up to 15% to 19% annually. Naturally, the state has been making efforts for meeting the goal of proving sufficient power supply. In allocating the budget for the financial fund of the expenditures of the state, the sector of electricity has been prioritized for the aim of boosting up the power supply service. Our efforts have turned out to prove that, from April, 2016 to December 2019, three hydropower generator stations, six heat energy generator stations, and one solar energy generator station, 10 power stations in total, have been put to service, boosting up 904 Megawatts.

While the state government has built power stations in extended numbers for boosting up the power supply service, the transmission lines transmitting 230 KVs, 132 KVs, 66 KVs, 33 KVs, 11 KVs and 400 Volts, stretching over 19,600 miles, and the substations of power supply transmitting 12,636 MVKs have been built, since 2016, in extended numbers, within the period of three and a half years.

Therefore, while, in March, 2016, electricity was transmitted only to 34% of the whole population all over the country, December 2019 saw an increase of up to 50% all over the country. Since successful measures were taken for the sufficient utilization of the power supply and transmission of more power supply for our people, we believe we have brought about many good results for upgrading the social affairs, education, health and job opportunities of the public.

Besides, we have been making efforts for the power supply service in regions where electricity has not yet been accessible. Priority has been given to such regions formerly lacking the opportunity of having electricity: within these three years, power supply service from the national grid venture was provided in Myawaddy in Kayin State, and Maungtaw in Rakhine State, while measures have been taken for the power supply from the national grid venture in Kyaing Tong in the Shan State (East). Moreover, since 2019-2020 financial year, the Mawlamyaing-Ye-Dawei transmission line (230 KVs) is being constructed for the power supply in Dawei, Tanintharyi Region, and the project is to be completed in 2021-2022 financial year. We shall continue our efforts for implementing the projects for the100 percent use of electricity all over the country by 2030. Enhancing the sector of electricity can make contributions towards the development of such sectors as education, health and economy. I would urge you all to strive for the development of the sector of electricity for the sake of our present and future generations to enjoy the fruits of the harmonious development in all regions and states.

Formerly, only auto-telephones were installed in Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation and Mandalay Electricity Supply Corporation, but today “1717” Hot Line and “1616” Hot Line have been offering their 24-hour services to serve to the satisfaction of the public. On this occasion of successfully launching the 50% power supply service all over the country, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the organizations, authorities and staff of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, and our citizens, who have made contributions to the success for the state projects.

In conclusion, I would like to urge the authorities of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy to step up your efforts for the prosperity and sustainable development of the state by developing the sector of electricity more and more, transmitting more high power supply, giving impetus to small-scale and medium-size electrical power supply and transmission enterprises in the Regions and States, and enabling the people to utilize the electricity safely.

Thank you.

(Unofficial Translation)

PHOTO: MNA

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar