The government has aggressively been extending the national grid into rural areas in a bid to increase the country’s low electrification rates and to boost productivity.

Mon State Hluttaw MPs, a private power distribution company and community elders met twice last month to discuss electrification in Ye township.

“We will start working on the tasks on October 15. Electricity will be distributed from Hnit Kayin to the mountain. Phayar Gone area is not included. [The area] will receive electricity after a new road is built,” said U San Ya, an official from Hnit Kayin Village, who has been assisting the electrification plans.

The electricity will cost K285 per unit with a K5 per unit state tax, according to an employee from the U Sein Wan Company, which will distribute the power.

“The electricity users don’t have to pay for meter box. The service cable, main board, and main breaker will be installed on the nearest lamppost near the houses. They just have to pay for connecting the power lines to their houses and the light bulbs. The generator will be placed in Tha Pyay Ywar Thit,” the employee said.

An estimate of US$13 million will be invested to build 10.6 megawatt diesel generator power station, 66/33 KV cable stretching 50 miles and other necessary equipment for the power distribution.

Over 200,000 houses currently have no electricity in Mon State.