China's ambassador, Chan Hai, said that he believes that the Kyaukphyu power plant, which China has invested $150 million in, will help the further developments of Rakhine State.
U Phay Than, a former representative of the Rakhine State Hluttaw and a Rakhine political analyst from Myaypon Township, told Narinjara News Agency that this is a common saying of China whenever a project is developed in Rakhine.
The opening ceremony of the waste-heat-to-power plant in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State was held on October 10, and Chinese Ambassador Chang Hai was also present.
“Kyaukphyu power plant has been opened as a successful project of cooperation in the electricity sector between the two countries, and because Kyaukphyu locates at the important place in the China-Myanmar economic corridor, I believe Rakhine State will have more developments in the future”, the Chinese Ambassador said at the opening of the ceremony.
The China-sponsored waste-heat-to-power plant project in Kyaukphyu Township started operating on Tuesday. The Chinese Ambassador Chang Hai attended the ceremony together with the Military Council appointed Deputy Minister of Electric Power Doctor Aung Zeya.
The waste-heat-to-power plant is equipped with 159 megawatts of world-class high-capacity power generators, so it can be regarded as an important power plant that can develop the socio-economic life of the people of Rakhine state, Doctor Aung Zeya said.
However, U Phay Than, a former representative of the Rakhine State Hluttaw and a Rakhine political analyst from Myaypon Township, says such words are said every time China develops a project in Rakhine. He also criticizes that all the resources of Rakhine state are being taken to the central mainland and are being used only for their own benefit.
“We have always heard that they will help for the development of Rakhine State. Every time each project is implemented, they say the same thing repeatedly. And all the resources of Rakhine State were taken by the mainland. But nothing in return for Rakhine State. For example, natural gas from Rakhine is sold but does not return the money to Rakhine at all”, he said.
Only a very small amount of electricity produced by this factory will be used for Rakhine to give false comfort to the people of Rakhine, he also said.
“The amount of electricity that will be provided to Rakhine from the factory is quite small. How will Rakhine progress by building such power plant? A certain percentage of natural gas sales should be allocated to Rakhine. The development of Rakhine state will depend a lot on that budget. It has been said many times over the ages that Rakhine State will improve, but it has never been a reality. Effective projects should be systematically implemented”, he suggested.
Currently, the gas produced in Rakhine State is exported to China every year, but the locals do not enjoy any benefit from it. In addition, the locals lost their farmland and were living in poverty, U Phay Than said.
China has invested 150 million dollars in the power plant project, which started building near Kankawtaw Pagoda in Kyaukphyu in 2020. Kyauk Phyu Electric Power Company, a joint venture between the Chinese firm Power China Resource (SINOHYDRO) and Myanmar-owned Supreme Group, is leading the operation.
The plant will also use natural gas from the Shwe gas field to produce electricity and is regarded as an important project for the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).
According to the design of the natural gas and waste-heat-to-power plant project, the annual production capacity will be 1005 million units, and electricity will be distributed at a rate of 8.59 cents per unit.
The Military Council’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy has said that the plant will be able to meet Rakhine State's electricity needs as well as the national power system.
