Noisy generators pumping smog in blackout of Yangon

Reported by Editorial Team Translated and Edited by Myint Win Thein + MY

People from all walks of life in Yangon have had difficulties as the load shedding system that cuts the distribution of electricity up to 12 hours a day. The system has been reintroduced since 2 April and will last for four months, it was learnt.     After the 2010 General Election, electricity was regularly distributed to all the cities in Myanmar including Yangon without applying the load shedding system. However, the load shedding system has been in place in Yangon after the by-election on 2 April 2012.     Concerning the blackouts, Retired Rector Professor U Maw Than of the Institute of Economics (Yangon) said, “After the by-elections, the expectations of the people were fulfilled, and the attitude of the international community towards Myanmar has changed. In the economic field, the government has taken important steps including the introduction of the unified and floating exchange rate system. At a time like this, the reintroduction of the load shedding system will hinder these important steps.  Electricity is essential for everyone, every family. The government’s electricity cut affects every family. In businesses, costs of production increase as they have to use fuel for generators. So they raise the prices of their products. As a result, commodity prices go up. Economy will be slowed, affecting the employment opportunities and income distribution. When electricity prices were raised last year, we hoped that electricity would be distributed more regularly. And again we expected that fuel prices would fall after the reduction of fuel import taxes. However, electricity was not distributed more regularly and the fuel prices did not fall. Higher electricity prices are acceptable if electricity is distributed more regularly. However, the distribution of electricity is worse than the previous year. Electricity cuts would be endurable if the fuel prices were lower. However, the fuel prices are likely to go up again in the black market due to the electricity cuts. This will put burden on the public. Blackouts are sign of poor infrastructure. Foreign businesses will not invest in Myanmar if there are electricity cuts, bad roads and communication failures.”     As electricity is essential in commercial city of Yangon with its industries and 7 million residents, the long electricity cuts have an impact on all aspect of life, according to the people of Yangon.       A resident in a housing complex in Thingangyun Township said, “Among other things, my 90-year old mother has trouble when the electricity goes out at night. I do not want to start the generator as its noises disturb my neighbors. On the other hand, I am worried about my mother. It is the hottest month of April. If the load shedding system is reintroduced intentionally, this is the same as troubling the public. Responsible officials should be considerate with the public. It is sure people from all walks of life are being disturbed by the blackouts.” Business people also pointed out the consequences of long blackouts.    A plastic factory owner in Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone said, “Part-time distribution of electricity is the same as killing small and medium size businesses. We cannot survive more than one month if we have to work with generators. We have to buy diesel from importers at their manipulated prices. Fuel prices do not fall even after fuel import taxes have been reduced. They have reintroduced the load shedding system on the one hand and let the fuel importers to manipulate the fuel prices on the other hand. We expected that electricity would be distributed more regularly when the electricity prices were raised. At last, we have blackouts and higher fuel and electricity prices. It is surprising electricity cannot be distributed on a regular basis as it was possible for a long time. We want to know the reason.”     Vice-chairman U Win Kyaing of Myanmar Fisheries Federation said, “When electricity was distributed regularly, it costs us K 14 to store one viss of fish. When blackouts occur, it costs us K 36 to store one viss of fish. This is because ice factories are run with generators. As a result, ice prices have risen, and weight drops. If the blackouts persist, this will have a deep impact on the livestock sector.”     At the end of 2010, an official from Yangon City Electricity Supply Board said that load shedding system would not be applied in Yangon in 2011 thanks to the electricity generated from Yeywa Hydro Power Project and other hydropower projects.  Electricity could be distributed to Yangon in 2011, as the official said.     In August 2011, an official from the Yangon City Electricity Distribution Board said that the board had the capacity to supply electricity to Yangon, which uses half of the electricity consumption of the entire country as most of the industrial zones are located there.  The electricity consumption of Yangon totals 670 megawatts as it gets 400 megawatts from the national grid and gas-fired power stations in Yangon generate 270 megawatts, the official added.     At a press conference held at the meeting hall of the YESB on 9 August 2012, Union Minister U Khin Maung Soe for Ministry of Electric Power No. 2 said, “Chepwe Hydropower Project in Myitkyina has been completed. We will use about 1,000 megawatts for electricity distribution in Kachin State including Moehnyin, Moekaung and Myitkyina. Hydropower projects in Laukkai, Konhein and Pindaya that will be complemented in 2014 and 2015 are for Shan State. Similarly, some projects are being implemented in 2011-2012 in Taunggyi area to supply electricity to Inn and Danu areas. A 230-KVA power line is being connected from Thaton to  Mawlamyine. This will be completed in 2012-2013, and then we will be able to supply enough electricity to Kayin and Mon states. This year, we are also constructing a power line from Shwetaung to Yangon via Myaungtaga. This is to use electricity generated in Northern part to Yangon. When enough electricity is distributed in Yangon, we will carry out tasks to supply electricity to Athoke and Pathein in Ayeyawady Division. We will construct a 230-KVA power line from Shwetaung to Taungok in 2012-2013. Electricity will be distributed from Taungok to Maei, Am and Man. The power line will be connected to the national grid. So, Taungok, Maei, Am, and Kyaukphyu will get electricity from the national grid in 2012-2013 or in 2014.  In 2014, 24-hour electricity will be distributed to southern Rakhin State. We are now buying equipment for the plan. Then we will construct a 230-KVA power line from Am to Kyauktaw, Ponnakyun and Sittway. Electricity from the national grip will be distributed for 24 hours a day to these area at the end of 2014-2015.I guarantee this as we have already bought all the necessary equipment.” The load shedding system was applied in Yangon in 1999, 2007, 2008 and 2009.      A resident in Mingalar Taungnyunt said, “Although the president said they would not reverse their course, but the electricity distribution in Yangon is going back to the situations in 2006-2007. There were no blackouts last year, but there are blackouts this year. So I think the situation is going back to the past. As one of the people of Myanmar, I feel like that.”     A resident in Tarmway said, “People who live in apartment buildings have more difficulties when blackouts occur. As electricity is distributed for a certain period of a day, all apartment dwellers have to pump water at the same time. As a result, there are water shortages. Electricity shortage causes water shortages too. It is too difficult and expensive to buy water for upper levels of apartment buildings. They were able to distribute electricity all the year round last year. I can even believe when they said they would reintroduce load shedding system. People who have to share an apartment will have more difficulties if blackouts occur for a long time.”    88 generation student Ko Mya Aye said, “All of us have difficulties when blackouts occur, especially during the hot summer like this month. No one is pleased. Before the by-election, it was said that some candidates often promised 24-hour electricity. People are angry as they did not keep their promise. A lot of people use generators when there are blackouts. The noises of the generators drive people mad. Do not make empty promises. They should make a promise only if they can fulfill it. When they cannot keep their promises, people are angry. They should be upright. We always have to read what will happen when Yeywa Dam is completed, and what will happen after Paunglaung Dam is completed. They even said they could export electricity as there was surplus electricity. In reality, they cannot even distribute enough electricity for the commercial city like Yangon. They always said our country is rich I gas and hydropower. Where are the gas and hydropower gone? We cannot understand what they are saying.”    There are 16 hydropower projects in Myanmar including some being implemented with China and Thailand, and there are some problems in these projects.      An entrepreneur said, “There are problems in power generation of a hydropower dam in central Myanmar which was completed in 2010. The problems were caused within months after Myitsone Dam Project was suspended. It is also heard that the blackouts are caused by the problems in that dam.”     Myanmar needs 1,555.25 megawatts of electricity for the entire country, and 31 power stations in Myanmar generate 3,045 megawatts. Daily electricity consumption of Myanmar totals between 1,100 and 1,200 megawatts generated mainly from hydropower and gas.     Retired Professor Daw Hla Myint said, “Blackouts have started at my house today. Blackouts cause trouble rich and poor alike. Although those who afford can use generators, people who are not rich enough to own a generators have difficulties, especially elderly. They feel uncomfortable if they cannot use electric fans or air cons. Business cannot operate fully due to blackouts. So businesses have to use generators. As a result, costs of production increase, and commodity prices go up. They cannot avoid this as they cannot stop their businesses. The public will suffer due to rising prices. The government should think whether they can solve the problem in this way. Electricity can be generated through various means. Can they generate more electricity with the use of hydropower, gas, coal or diesel? Can the cost for the generation of electricity be taken from other budgets? A government has to have its own priorities. Priority should be given to the problems that affect the public. They should not think that it does not matter to cut electricity as they always did it. This may hinder the flow of foreign investment to our country. As electricity is an important infrastructure, this will tarnish the image of our country.”      Thailand, which imports the largest amount of electricity from Myanmar, uses 23,900 megawatts while Myanmar consumes over 1,500 megawatts. In addition, Thailand has 6,000 megawatts of electricity for reserve, but Myanmar has only 300 megawatts.     A journalist said, “As electricity was distributed regularly last year, we did not repair our generator. Now they cut electricity suddenly, we are in great trouble. When the people protested the Myitsone Hydropower Project, the Minister for Electric Power No. 1 said they had surplus electricity. Where the electricity is generated from hydropower projects and natural gas projects? It is unacceptable. Those responsible should take their responsibilities. They should inform the public of the blackouts through the media. Ref:weeklyeleven