International experts participating in Myanmar Green Energy Summit in Yangon last week suggested that Myanmar should vigorously develop its hydropower.
In an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the summit, Dr Gordon J Young, a Canadian expert and former president of International Association of Hydrological Science, noted that Myanmar has lots of things to do in the sector of power development especially in green energy sector such as hydropower.
Michael de Vivo, a French expert and Secretary General of the International Commission on Large Dams, agreed, saying Myanmar has a very huge potential of hydropower.
Viewed from its hydropower resources, Myanmar is estimated to have 40,000 MW generating capacity but only 7 percent has been utilized so far, he added.
Chinese expert Zhang Boting maintained that Myanmar has rich hydropower resources, and that since the United Nations agencies view the development of large hydropower plants as developing green energy project, Myanmar could implement it in a rapid and economic way.
Chairman of the Yangon City Electricity Supply Board U Aung Khaing told participants that at present, only 31 percent of the country’s population has access to electricity and the government has laid down a short-term plan to electrify 50 percent of the total population before the year 2015-2016 by increasing generating capacity and expanding transmission and distribution facilities.
The two-day summit, attended by international green and renewable energy industry players, potential investors and experts from over 20 countries and regions, was organised by the Confexhub Sdn Bhd of Malaysia and supported by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Xinhua
