First report on suspended power project submitted to Myanmar president

The first report from the Myanmar government's investigation commission for the Ayeyawaddy-Myitsone upstream river basin hydropower projects has been submitted to current President U Htin Kyaw .

The report came following nearly three months' field survey at the project area in the country's northernmost Kachin state.

The report, forwarded to the president on Friday and made public on Saturday, covers the status of Myitsone hydropower project, Chipwinge hydropower dam and Chipwinge power plant as well as some villages within the area of Myitsone project.

The commission's first factual report was compiled on hydropower sources available in Myanmar for electricity production and electricity requirement, the formation of the Ayeyawaddy-Myitsone upstream river basin hydropower projects, and contracts and agreements connecting with the Myitsone hydropower project.

The report comprises no analysis and recommendations as the commission is still implementing its activities by continuing to conduct further interviews with concerned persons and organizations and assessment, the commission said.

The commission announced that the final report will be submitted to the president after accomplishing assessment on cost and benefit upon socio-environment.

The 20-member commission was formed by the President's Office on Aug. 12 to reassess the long-suspended Myitsone dam project in Kachin state if it should go on.

The commission is led by U Thi Khun Myat, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. Other members include Minister for State Counselor's Office U Kyaw Tint Swe and other related ministers.

The commission is tasked to explore new ways to benefit both the state and the foreign investor based on national interest with regard to the project.

The China-invested Myitsone hydropower project, lying on the Ayeyawaddy River near Tanphe village, was suspended by the previous U Thein Sein's government in September 2011 amid objections by some environmental groups.

With an installed capacity of 6,000 megawatts (mw), it was first designed to yield 29,400 million kilowatt-hours a year on completion by 2019. The Myitsone hydropower plant project started in December 2009. Endit