Japan to build natural gas power plants in Myanmar

Plant will have a capacity of 500 MW.

The natural gas power plant will be located in Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone in Yangon and is to be completed by 2015. An agreement for the project was made by Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi during a meeting with Myanmar President Thein Sein.

Japan will also help to construct a 50 MW natural gas power plant in Thilawa Industrial Zone.

Myanmar needs some 2,000 MW of electricity annually. It is estimated that natural gas power plants can generate 20% of total domestic demand.

Myanmar’s Ministry of Energy has invited local and overseas companies to help generate 24-hour electricity for 15 industrial zones in Yangon. Industrial zones currently operate with five hours a day of electricity except in rainy season.

Among 24 zones in Myanmar, Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone is the biggest.