UNCOVERING THE UNTAPPED ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES

Myanmar, a country that has abundant energy resources, particularly hydropower and natural gas is one of the five major energy exporters in the region, particularly of natural gas. The country’s primary energy supply includes coal, oil, gas, hydropower, and biomass. Investment in hydropower and coal-powered plants, gas fields, and oil and gas pipelines is gaining rapidly, evidence of a highly dynamic sector. As of September 2011, a third of the country’s $13.6 billion in foreign direct investment is in the oil and gas sector.

According to the World Energy Council, in 2007, Myanmar had coal resources estimated at around 2 million tons, 447.7 TCF of natural gas and 206.9 million barrels of oil. The hydropower potential of Myanmar’s four main rivers is estimated at 100,000 megawatts (MW), less than 10% of which has been harnessed. The Myanmar government is undertaking ventures to exploit these energy resources, both as a basis for accelerated overall economic development and for direct social benefit to their residents.

The Myanmar government is broadening their strategic approaches to fully tap the huge potential of Myanmar’s energy sector by inviting foreign technical expertise and foreign investment for participation in its hydropower, oil, and gas subsectors; expanding the capacity of existing liquefied petroleum gas plants and implementing new liquefied natural and petroleum gas production projects; and substituting the use of liquid fuel in the transport sector with compressed natural gas.

The Myanmar Energy Investment Summit 2013 is designed to provide a platform for international energy industry players and  potential investors to gather in Yangon; providing updated on the market potential and development plan of the energy sector in  Myanmar; implication of new economic regulations arising from latest parliamentary decision for the energy sectors. The Summit  will focus on the following areas:

• Myanmar’s Energy Sectors Outlook & Opportunities
• Myanmar’s Energy Sectors Development Plans
• Latest Foreign Investment Laws for The Energy Sectors
• Financing of Energy Projects including Hydropower Plants
• Private Players Incentives and Taxation Laws
• Environment Impact Assessment for Energy Projects
• Recent Trends in Equipment and Technology

DEDICATED SESSION ON HYDROPOWER AND WATER RESOURCES

Myanmar is one of the most attractive country in the South East Asian region for hydropower development. The Myanmar Electric Power Ministry (EPM) has earmarked a huge hydro potential of about 100,000 MW, out of which about 39,720 MW has been  identified for development including more than 200 hydro potential sites. Myanmar has a vast water resource from major rivers running roughly north-south apart from the Irrawaddy, the Chindwin, the Sittang and the Salween rivers. Up to 70 % of the power  generation capacity is from the 18 hydropower plants. There is about 2000 MW of additional hydro capacity under construction  including Upper Paung Laung (140 MW), Thauk Ye Khat (120 MW), Baluchang (52 MW) and other recent projects like Upper yeywa  (280 MW). There are other 32 small hydro schemes which have also been developed with the capacity of 36 MW.

 With the lifting of sanctions in November 2012, Myanmar’s economy is posed to grow at over 8% per annum for the next 5 years due to the increased economic activities. In this regards, The EPM has identified hydropower as a priority for a sustainable power development for Myanmar.