Singapore-based integrated energy company Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) recently celebrated the official opening of its US$310 million Sembcorp Myingyan Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Neil McGregor, Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries told WILLIAMS MEDIA “The Sembcorp Myingyan plant is a state-of-the-art, efficient facility that signals a new era of advancement for Myanmar’s power sector. This project demonstrates Sembcorp’s ability to serve as an integrator that brings together finance, technology, as well as technical and operational expertise to solve infrastructure challenges for the benefit of society, and for the betterment of people’s lives.”

At a glance:

• A landmark Singapore-Myanmar project and a major milestone for Myanmar’s power industry
• Most efficient power plant in the country, and the first with integrated solar power generation
• 95% staffed by locals, demonstrating Sembcorp’s successful knowledge transfer

With a contracted capacity of 225 megawatts, the plant is one of the largest combined-cycle gas turbine plants in Myanmar. It is also the country’s most efficient power plant, featuring advanced technology to maximise power output and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. The project began operations in October 2018 and will generate around 1,500 gigawatt hours of electricity per year according to Sembcorp. This will help to meet the power needs of approximately 5.3 million people.

Colliers International told WILLIAMS MEDIA "Myanmar is currently producing 3,400 megawatts of electricity with the power demand expected to increase annually at a rate of 19% according to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE)."

"At present, the country generates most of its power through hydropower and gas turbine plants. The country’s electricity prices are among the lowest in the world and the power supply is largely subsidized through the MOEE’s budget. With the private sector involvement in power generation, the government will need to raise prices on par with the rates charged by independent power producers to reduce its losses incurred through the subsidy. We predict that the electricity network infrastructure in the country can be improved more efficiently as the government invites more and more private companies to invest in power generation and distribution," says Colliers.

Source: Sembcorp, Colliers International 

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