Energy
From The Report: Myanmar 2017
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With massive infrastructure upgrades in the works and industrial demand rapidly expanding, the energy market in Myanmar is currently one of the more promising ones in the world. The country is in great need of electricity generation capacity and must completely overhaul its transmission and distribution systems. Investment opportunities are available throughout the energy value chain, and will be for decades to come. Globally, it is an outlier: as other countries slow or cut back on energy investment due to low oil prices and weak economic growth, Myanmar is ramping up its commitment and inviting the world to participate.

This chapter contains interviews with Ken Tun, CEO Parami Energy Group; U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing, Chairman, SMART Group of Companies; and Billy Harkin, Chairman, Energize Myanmar.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Charging up: Infrastructure upgrades aim to cover gaps in the energy sector
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With massive infrastructure upgrades in the works and industrial demand rapidly expanding, the energy market in Myanmar is currently one of the more promising ones in the world. The country is in great need of electricity generation capacity and must completely overhaul its transmission and distribution systems. A raft of investment opportunities are available throughout the energy value chain, and will be for decades to come. Globally, Myanmar is an outlier: as other countries slow or cut…

Interview

Powering the outskirts: Ken Tun, CEO, Parami Energy Group, on rural electricity efforts and the potential of renewable energy
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Interview:Ken Tun What current projects are being considered to bolster rural electrification efforts in Myanmar for the coming years? KEN TUN: The World Bank has devised a plan to electrify the whole country by 2030, which would require approximately $3bn per year in investment, given current transmission, distribution and generation shortages. However, rural communities cannot afford to wait 15 years. If you look at the current mindset worldwide, there is a focus on efficiency and green…

Interview

Looking ahead: U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing, Chairman, SMART Group of Companies, on stimulating investor appetite in the oil and gas industry
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Interview: U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing To what extent have service companies been affected by the decline in oil prices? U KYAW KYAW HLAING: Service companies have had to make significant cutbacks in different ways, including staffing. While the oil and gas sector is well versed in dealing with cyclical swings in oil prices, individual companies – even those with international portfolios – are struggling. In Myanmar, for example, there are many blocks due for seismic tests or drilling that have not…

Analysis

Water and wind: Renewables alone could power the entire country
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Installed hydroelectric capacity in Myanmar is significant, with the country operating 26 plants, with the capacity to generate 3214 MW of power. Still, hydro-power is not considered a sole solution and questions are being raised about the use of water resources compared with other options. While the whole country could be powered by water alone, it is probable that hydropower will play a reduced, albeit still majority, role in the country’s future energy mix. No Norway Hydropower assets do…

Interview

A multitude of options: Billy Harkin, Chairman, Energize Myanmar, on identifying opportunities and moving forward with implementation
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Interview:Billy Harkin What is the current status of electrification efforts in Myanmar, and how can the rate of electrification be increased in the coming years? BILLY HARKIN: Collectively, across all of the various generation technologies, Myanmar has just over 5 GW of installed power generation capacity. In context, that’s about one-fifth as much power per head of population as neighbouring Thailand, which over the past 20 years has been very effective in getting electricity nationwide…

Analysis

Water management: Industrial expansion has increased demand for resources
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With an estimated 19,000 cu metres of water available per person per annum, Myanmar might be called a regional water superpower. Its capacity for water storage is nine times that available in China, five times that in Vietnam, and 16 times the amount in both Bangladesh and India. The total catchment area of its 10 main rivers covers some 737,800 sq km, with potential surfacewater resources amounting to 1082 cu km and groundwater sources reaching 495 cu km. Water is therefore seen as a great…