PRIVATE investors are showing more interest in solar projects along the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway than in other places, according to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
The ministry invited private businesses to undertake solar projects across the country. Investors eye areas along the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway where the National grid is available (Meiktila, Thazi, Nay Pyi Taw, and Tatkon). Nonetheless, the availability of power grids along the Yangon-Pyay route cannot win their interest.
“There are major substations in Taungdwingyi and Aunglan, Shwedaung, Okpo, Myanaung, Minhla, and Myaungtaka. Although these transmission lines exist, investors are not that interested in those areas. So, we would like to ask them to invest in those areas as well. Many areas in the upper part of the country, including Monywa and the western side of Sagaing Region, remain without grid access. In Ayeyawady Region, the grid only reaches around Kyaiklat and Pathein and the rest is not covered. Those areas with no grid are precisely where solar has its advantage. We encourage entrepreneurs to invest in those areas to build local grids, or develop mini-grid systems to generate electricity from solar,” said an official of the ministry.
Some areas of the country remain unconnected to the National Grid, where minigrid systems or local grid connections can be introduced.
At present, domestic electricity is generated from 32 hydropower plants, 24 natural gas plants, two coal-fired plants, and 12 solar projects, with a total generation capacity of 6,725 MW. Of them, solar contributes only about four per cent of total generation. — ASH/KK