A feasibility study is under way on a US$2.5 billion power plant to be located in Myeik township, Tanintharyi Region, according to Akira Sude, overseas power project department manager from Marubeni Corporation of Japan.
The facility could ultimatelyA feasibility study is under way on a US$2.5 billion power plant to be located in Myeik township, Tanintharyi Region, according to Akira Sude, overseas power project department manager from Marubeni Corporation of Japan. be between 1800 and 2000 megawatts when it is completed, he said. Marubeni, as well as Global Power Synergy Public Company, which is an affiliate of PTT, as well as EGAT International, Sri Synergy, local firm Ayeyar Hintha and Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power previously signed a memorandum of understanding in Nay Pyi Taw on the plant. Mr Suda said the partners aim to complete the feasibility study by July. “We will then submit the report to the government, and if we can proceed with the project, then there will be more detailed discussions with the Myanmar government,” he said.
The exact location of the project still has not been determined. Local residences protested the project at a meeting with township administration officials in May last year, claiming to be worried about the environmental impact of the plant.
Mr Suda said the companies are aware of the concerns of the local residents, but believes that using the latest technology could limit the environmental impact. “We really have a close connection with the local community there and we have to explain more details of the project plan to local residence,” he said.
The firm has invited some members of civil society to Japan to see technology that allows for better coal power. Officials from Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power have told The Myanmar Times that the government is currently reluctant to proceed with building coal plants due to social and environmental concerns.
