This year four towns in Arakan State have been connected to the Burmese national power grid and by the end of they year another seven towns will have been connected to the grid.
Prior to being connected to the grid residents had to buy their electricity from private companies that charge 500 Kyat a unit.
Once residents are connected to the grid they only have to pay 35 Kyat a unit.
The government in Naypyidaw agreed to connect the towns to the grid following criticism from Arakanese residents.
The towns that are already connected to the grid are: Thandwe,Taungup, Ann and Kyauk Pru.
Electrical sub-stations are being built in Mrauk U, Kyauk Taw, Ponna Kyaunyt, Minbya, Maei, Rambree and Sittwe. They should all be completed by the end of the year.
Once they are completed there will be six towns left in Arakan State who will still have no option but to buy their electricity from private companies at 500 Kyat a unit.
