Irrawaddy-Mar 24
Myanmar junta industry minister Charlie Than has stressed the need to attract local and foreign investments in solar energy, as regime leaders ramp up promotion of solar amid a nationwide electricity shortage. Speaking during a visit to No. 24 Heavy Industry zone in South Dagon, Yangon, on Sunday, he pressed for collaboration to address the country’s electricity demand. He also inspected a solar panel factory in Hline Township, urging an increase in production to meet rising market demand. Electricity shortages have plagued Myanmar since soon after the military seized power in 2021. Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has been fixated on solar power as a potential solution since last year, as power outages worsened. Other top regime officials have thrown their support behind solar power initiatives. General Tin Aung San, chairman of the Electricity and Energy Commission, has mandated the installation of solar panels in new construction projects. Similarly, Vice Senior General Soe Win last month praised the success of solar in powering the war office headquarters in Naypyitaw, claiming installation costs would be recovered within 18 months. The junta No.2’s enthusiasm has even earned him the nickname “Solar Soe Win.” During recent trips to China and Russia, Min Aung Hlaing touted for foreign investment in Myanmar’s electricity sector. Chinese companies are already building solar power plants in the country.
The regime has also announced plans to establish solar power plants with Chinese support. A memorandum of understanding has been signed for four solar projects, totaling 190 megawatts, in Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyitaw, funded by 1 billion yuan (about US$ 138 million) in aid from China, according to Electricity Minister Nyan Tun. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens continue to suffer from severe power outages amid rising hot-season temperatures, with solar panels remaining unaffordable for most of the population. After a brief period of 12 to 16 hours of electricity per day, the regime reintroduced the old power supply schedule in Myanmar’s commercial capital of Yangon on Monday. The reintroduction has left residents with only four hours of power followed by an eight-hour blackout, meaning they must endure 16 hours a day without electricity. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-banks-on-solar-miracle-as-yangon-sinks-back-into-darkness.html
