Chinese-Backed Power Plant Opens in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

By The Irrawaddy 13 October 2022

A Chinese language-backed energy plant that types an necessary a part of the China-Myanmar Financial Hall (CMEC) scheme in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State opened this week, signaling that Beijing is shifting ahead with its initiatives in post-coup, conflict-torn Myanmar.

The US$180-million, gas-fired 135-MW energy plant within the Kyaukphyu Particular Financial Zone (SEZ) was opened on Monday by Chinese language Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai and the regime’s deputy minister for electrical energy, Dr. Aung Zeya, in line with Myanmar state-owned media.

The venture was developed by Kyauk Phyu Electrical Energy Co. Ltd., a three way partnership between Chinese language state-owned agency Energy China Assets and Myanmar’s Supreme Group.

China is a significant investor in Myanmar, and has positioned significance on initiatives that may give it entry to the Indian Ocean. An important a part of Beijing’s Belt and Highway Initiative, the estimated 1,700-km-long CMEC will join Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in southwest China, with Myanmar’s main financial hubs—linking first with Mandalay in central Myanmar, then forking east to Yangon and west to the Kyaukphyu SEZ in Rakhine State.

Hailing the Kyaukphyu energy plant as proof of profitable bilateral cooperation between China and Myanmar within the energy sector, the Chinese language ambassador mentioned the ability plant would play a key position, as Kyaukpyu is a vital hub on the CMEC, and talked about additional cooperation in all sectors in Myanmar.

With Myanmar going through a large energy shortfall amid rising home demand, China has turn into its main electrical energy provider, together with via cross-border energy interconnection initiatives, resulting from its decrease costs, amongst different elements.

From Rakhine State within the nation’s west to Kachin within the north, planning or building of energy initiatives backed by mammoth Chinese language state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is underway in at the least seven states and areas. The agreements had been made below the now ousted Nationwide League for Democracy (NLD) authorities.

Chen mentioned Chinese language firms are actually implementing many energy initiatives together with hydro energy crops in Ye Ywa in Mandalay, Paung Laung in Naypyitaw and Tha Htay in Rakhine; pure gas-fired crops in Tha Hton in Mon State and Thaketa in Yangon; and a photo voltaic plant in Minbu in Magwe Area.

Based on the Chinese language Embassy in Myanmar’s Fb web page, the ambassador mentioned throughout the opening ceremony that Myanmar-China cross-border energy interconnection initiatives are accelerating, and China is now “calmly discussing and implementing the necessary initiatives like [the] Kyaukphyu SEZ and China-Myanmar interlink Ruili-Kyaukphyu railway.”

The feedback come as Myanmar is in social and political turmoil sparked by the army coup final yr.

Not like different international locations that condemned the takeover, China referred to it as merely “a cupboard reshuffle.” Together with Russia, it has backed the regime on the UN, leaving the Safety Council unable to take motion towards the regime, which has killed greater than 2,300 folks thus far.

Throughout a go to to China in April this yr, the regime’s overseas minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, acquired a heat welcome from his Chinese language counterpart Wang Yi. Beijing mentioned it will assist safeguard Myanmar’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity “irrespective of how the scenario adjustments”.

In July, Wang reaffirmed his nation’s continued assist for Myanmar’s army regime, vowing to guard its neighbor and its legit pursuits.