Khanti Island in Palaw Township benefits from solar-power

 

A ceremony to electrify the entire Khanti Island in Palaw Township, Taninthayi Region was held yesterday morning.

The island power distribution project was jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, under the Nation Electrification Project (NEP), the World Bank and Germany.

At the ceremony, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr. Aung Thu said the government is implementing the Nation Electrification Project (NEP) to supply power for the rural people, beginning 2016-2017 fiscal year.

The Ministry, on its part, is implementing the off-grid power distribution project, with the use of single-house solar power distribution system.

In accord with the NEP policy, regions which cannot get power from the national grid in 10 to 15 years, regions which are at least 10 miles from the national grid, and villages where public contribution for the cause is not possible are put in the priority list.

Within a two-year period from fiscal years 2016-2017 to 2017-2018, the ministry electrified 230,000 households of 4074 villages and over 30,000 public buildings through single-house solar power distribution system.

He said the ministry has electrified 45 villages and implemented 34 projects with the help of World Bank and GIZ, a German cooperation agency. The single-house solar power distribution system and micro power distribution system are being implemented in accord with the norms of NEP, with the funds of the region government. Thanks to the NEP, the whole Khanti Island including Taung-khaunglaung, Kalamakaung, Khanti and Pyingyi villages can be electrified.

Ambassador of Germany Mrs Dorothee Janetzke Wenzel, an official of World Bank and a representative of GIZ also gave speeches. Region Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U San Myint discussed regional development undertakings and future programs.

The Union Minister observed the distribution of solar power that was generating electricity for micro production businesses, and a tailoring course conducted under the Village Development Program (VDP) and selling sewing machines in installments.

The whole project to electrify the entire Khanti Island was implemented at a cost of over K 1,483 million. So, the islanders can now use electronic appliances and micro and cottage industries.

MNA

Photo: MNA

(Translated by TMT)

Ref: The Global New Light of Myanmar