Fourteen years after public protests compelled development to cease, Myanmar is making ready to restart the $3.6 billion (£2.8 billion) Myitsone hydropower venture in Kachin State. The China-backed dam would create a reservoir roughly the dimensions of Singapore and generate as much as 6 gigawatts (GW) of electrical energy. The administration led by army chief and president Min Aung Hlaing needs the venture accomplished inside eight years. Reuters reported on 1 July that the plan had been mentioned privately by officers, together with Kachin State chief minister Khet Htein Nan. The dam is deliberate on the assembly level of the Mali and Nmai rivers, which type the headwaters of the Irrawaddy. Building was suspended in 2011 by then-president Thein Sein after giant public protests over environmental injury and the displacement of communities. “It should start shortly,” Htet Paing Htoo, a member of the Kachin State parliament, instructed Reuters. “An official announcement will likely be launched. The president himself has already said that will probably be restarted.” The proposed restart follows Min Aung Hlaing’s go to to China, which has supported the venture for years.
The value of restarting Myitsone
The unique venture was agreed in 2009 with an estimated price of $3.6 billion (£2.8 billion). Greater than a decade later, rebuilding the venture may price far more. The Worldwide Renewable Vitality Company places the common price of hydropower development in Asian nations exterior China and India at about $1,914 (£1,510) per kilowatt. At that charge, a 6-GW venture may price as a lot as $11.5 billion (£9.1 billion), greater than thrice the unique estimate. If accomplished, Myitsone could be one in every of Southeast Asia’s greatest hydropower vegetation, though it might stay far smaller than China’s 22.5-GW Three Gorges Dam.
Myanmar wants extra electrical energy
The proposed restart comes as Myanmar struggles with an unreliable energy provide. The nation’s electrical energy infrastructure has suffered throughout years of battle following the 2021 army coup. The federal government sees Myitsone as one strategy to improve era capability. Myanmar’s nationwide electrical energy demand is round 10 GW. At full capability, the proposed dam may due to this fact produce greater than half of the nation’s present demand. Authorities spokeswoman Khaing Khaing Soe mentioned the venture was mentioned throughout Min Aung Hlaing’s go to to Beijing. “We’re analysing these issues intimately, evaluating the extent of the advantages versus the detrimental impacts, to strike a stability,” she mentioned, referring to issues over land loss and relocation. One other main query is the place the electrical energy will go. Underneath the unique settlement, 90 per cent of the dam’s electrical energy was to be exported to China’s southern energy grid. That association was unpopular in Myanmar, the place many individuals face common energy shortages. It isn’t clear whether or not the phrases have been modified or whether or not Myanmar will obtain a bigger share of the electrical energy if the venture resumes.
Earthquake dangers elevate recent issues
The proposed dam would stand about 152 metres (500 toes) excessive, round 37 km (23 miles) upstream from Myitkyina, the Kachin State capital. Its location has raised issues about earthquake security. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar in March and killed 1000’s of individuals. The catastrophe has added to issues about main infrastructure in a rustic crossed by lively geological faults. Critics say a big reservoir in an earthquake-prone space may pose a severe hazard to communities downstream if the construction have been badly broken. At a personal session on 23 June, Khet Htein Nan reportedly mentioned China had promised to make use of superior engineering strategies to take care of geological dangers. “They are going to use expertise to make sure it will possibly face up to such dangers,” the minister reportedly mentioned. “There may be nothing to fret about.” At one other personal briefing on 22 June, the chief minister reportedly described the dam as a “historic achievement”. A supply on the assembly mentioned he additionally instructed officers that China absolutely supported the venture’s revival.
Authorities search native assist
The army administration has begun attempting to construct assist for the dam in areas underneath its management. Following a go to to Myitkyina by former deputy army chief Soe Win in December, government-backed committees organised at the very least 26 conferences throughout Kachin State. The conferences have been supposed to elucidate the venture and handle native issues. Naw Khon, a member of one of many committees, mentioned the purpose was to provide residents info and permit them to type their very own views. “What we wish is to offer the general public with correct info and permit them to make their very own choices,” Naw Khon mentioned. However opposition stays robust amongst ethnic communities and environmental teams. Critics argue that the venture would injury the Irrawaddy river system and put communities in danger.
Why the dam was stopped in 2011
The unique suspension adopted widespread protests over the venture’s anticipated environmental and social results. The reservoir would cowl a big space across the confluence of the Mali and Nmai rivers. Opponents concern the flooding would destroy habitats, alter the river system and pressure individuals from their houses. Many communities within the area depend upon the river and surrounding land for his or her livelihoods. The venture has additionally develop into a part of a broader debate about China’s position in Myanmar and the nation’s management over its pure assets. On 5 Could, 49 civil society organisations issued a joint assertion calling for the venture to be cancelled completely. They argued that the dam would deliver little profit to atypical individuals whereas inflicting severe injury to houses, property and livelihoods. The coalition mentioned the venture “presents no advantages to the general public” and would trigger “extreme destruction and loss” for affected communities.
