Dams in Burma

There are close to 200 large Dams in Burma.^[1][2][3] Burma (Myanmar) has a large hydroelectric power potential of 39,000 Megawatts (MW), although the economical exploitable potential is about 37,000 MW. Burma tripled its installed capacity of hydro plants, from 253 MW in 1990 to 745 MW in 2002.^[4] Total installed capacity in 2010 is at least 2,449 MW, 6% of potential. Several large dams are planned to increase future hydro utilization.^[5]

Background

Although the State of Burma is underdeveloped in terms of its hydro-power potential it is not for lack of trying. The agency charged with expanding Hydro project is the State Peace and Development Council and the current chairman of Sr-Gen Than Shwe strives to build more damns. Shwe who hails from the Kyaukse region, through which the Zawgyi River flows is widely rumored to believe himself a reincarnation of King Anawrahta (r. 1044-1077).^[6] During his reign King Anawrahta was a prolific dam- and canal-builder, especially along the Zawgyi river. He viewed his hydro projects as atonement for killing his foster-brother Sokkate.^[6]

The total electricity generated by Myanmar in 2002 was 6614 GWh, consisting of oil (612 GWh, 9%); gas (3770 GWh, 57%); and hydro (2232 GWh, 34%).^[4]

Burma's hydro power development activities and plans include five-year short term plans and a 30-year strategic plan. This involves generating power for domestic use and exporting to neighboring countries, especially China, Thailand and India. Total planned hydropower development in Myanmar is 14,600 MW.^[7]

Though the twelve large planned hydroelectic dams larger than 1,000 MW get much media attention, there are at least another twelve in the 100 - 1000 MW range and at least 27 smaller microhydroprojects smaller than 100 MW. The rest of the dams are generally lower height irrigation structures.

At least 45 Chinese Multi-National Corporations have been involved in approximately 63 hydropower projects in Burma, including several related substation and transmission line projects. Burma's State Peace and Development Council Chairman Than Shwe met with Chinese representatives at the Shweli I Hydropower Station.^[1]

Map outlining the states and regions of Burma (Myanmar)

Exploitable Hydropower Potential of Burma^{[1] [8]}

State/Region	Number of Sites	MW]
Kachin State	39	2,061
Kayah State	7	3,909
Kayin State	21	17,021
Chin State	22	1,312
Sagaing Reg..	21	2,399
Tanintharyi Region	14	692
Bago Region	11	387
Magwe Region	8	123
Mandalay Reg..	17	3,482
Mon State	10	292
Rakhine State	14	247
Shan State	83	7,699
Total...12	267	39,624

Major Dams

Salween river

Salween River downstream of Weigyi Dam site

Salween River and watershed

Seven dams have been proposed for the Salween River. The largest of these hydropower projects is the 7,100megawatt (MW) TaSang Dam on the Salween River, which is to be integrated into the Asian Development Bank’s Greater Mekong Sub-region Power Grid. A ground breaking ceremony for the Tasang Dam was held in March 2007, and China Gezhouba Group Co. (CGGC) started preliminary construction shortly after. China’s involvement in the damming of the Salween River is not limited to the Tasang project.

In 2006, Sinohydro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Burma for the US$ 1 billion, 1,200 MW Hat Gyi Dam along the Thai border. In April 2007, Farsighted Group, now known as Hanergy Holding Group, and China Gold Water Resources Co. signed MoUs with Burma for an additional 2,400 MW hydropower project on the upper Salween, an area which Yunnan Power Grid Co. reportedly surveyed in 2006.

In April 2008, Sinohydro, China Southern Power Grid Co., and China Three Gorges Project Co. signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement for the development of the hydropower potential of the Salween River. Despite China’s involvement in these large-scale dams on the Salween, most of the electricity is destined for export to neighboring Thailand.

However, In May 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao halted the construction of the Liuku dam on the Salween River in China’s Yunnan province, calling for more thorough impact assessments.^[9]

Shweli river

The 1,420 MW Shweli I, II, III Cascade, in Shan Statenear the Chinese border, has also received significant Chinese support. Yunnan Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Co. (YMEC) began work on the Shweli I Hydropower Plant in February 2004 and, following Burma’s inability to secure funding, joined with Yunnan Huaneng Lancang River Hydropower Development Co. and Yunnan Power Grid Co. to create the Yunnan Joint Power Development Co. (YUPD) in August 2006. For more information regarding the Salween River, see ^{[A 1]}

A few months later, YUPD assumed an 80% share in the project after creating the Shweli River I Power Station Co. together with Burma, turned the Shweli I dam into a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project, and increased the installed capacity from 400 to 600 MW. At least two Sinohydro subsidiaries have provided construction services for the project, and Sichuan Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Co. and Ningbo Huyong Electric Power Material Co. have signed US$ multimillion contracts for electricity transmission cables and towers. The Shweli I Hydropower Plant is slated for completion by June 2009, and was half complete as of May 2007.

N'Mai, N’Mai, Mali and Irrawaddy Rivers

In Kachin State, several Chinese MNCs are involved in the construction of seven large dams along the N’Mai Hka, Mali Hka, and Irrawaddy River, with a combined installed capacity of 13,360 MW. In 2007, China Power Investment Co. signed agreements with Burmese authorities to finance all seven dams, as well as with China Southern Power Grid Co. Yunnan Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Co. (YMEC) signed an MoU with Burma’s Ministry of Electric Power in 2006 to develop the hydropower potential of the N’Mai Hka; however details about this arrangement remain unclear. Changjiang Institute of Surveying, Planning,Design & Research has also completed a feasibility study at the confluence of the N’Mai Hka and Mali Hka.

Others

In western Burma, just inside the Indo-Burmese border, runs the Chindwin River, where several potential dam sites have been identified that are likely to service export-oriented hydro-power plants. The sites include Thamanthi, Mawlaik, Homalin, and Shwezaye ([10]).

In August 2001, the Kansai Electric Power Company, or KEPCO, contracted with Burma to provide technical assistance for developing 12 hydro-power plants, including at least five sites on the Sittang River Yenwe, Khabaung, Pyu, Bogata and Shwe Gin.^[6]

China CAMC Engineering Co. has been involved in the surveying and implementation of hydropower projects in the region. The 790 MW Yeywa Dam in Mandalay Region, which began construction in 2006, is also being financed and constructed by several Chinese MNCs, including China Gezhouba Group Co.,Sinohydro, China International Trust and Investment Co. (CITIC) Technology Co., ChinaNational Electric Equipment Co., China National Heavy Machinery Co., and Hunan Savoo Oversea Water and Electric Engineering Co. Additional financial backing for the project is being provided by the China EXIM Bank.

In addition to the Yeywa, Shweli and Hat Gyi projects, Sinohydro China’s largest dam company and its subsidiaries have been involved in the Kun Creek-2, Kyauk, Mone,Nam Hkam Hka,Paunglaung (upper & lower), Tarpein I, Thapanseik I, II, III, and Zawgyi I Dams. As with the Yeywa project, both CITIC and China EXIM Bank provided investment and financial backing for the Thapanseik Dam.

The Yunnan Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Co. (YMEC) has been one of the most active Chinese companies in Burma’s hydropower sector. Since the 1990s, YMEC has been involved in more than 25 projects of varying size, including the Ching Hkran, Chinshwehaw, Dattawgyaing, Hopin, Kunhein, Kunlon, Kyaing Ton, Kyaukme, Laiva, Mepan, Nam Hkam Hka, Nam Myaw, Nam Wop, Nancho, Paunglaung, Upper Paunglaung, Shweli I, II, III Cascade, Watwon, Zaungtu, Zawgyi I and II, Zichaung, and N’Mai Hka River hydropower projects, as well as the Rangoon Dagon Substation. The extent of YMEC involvement in these projects, several of which are completed, is unclear, but appears to involve construction and some financing.^{[A 2]}

Lists of dams

Hydroelectric

List of operating hydroelectric dams in Burma

Name	#	Impounds	MW rating	Commission	Location
Shweli I Dam[10]	1	Shweli River	600	2008-12	Shan State, near Man Tat village (Palaung)23°39′11″N 97°28′52″E / 23.65306°N 97.48111°E / 23.65306; 97.48111[11]
Zawgyi I Dam	2	Zawgyi River	18	1997-5-31	Shan State, Yaksauk Township
Zawgyi II Dam	3	Zawgyi River	12	1998-11	Shan State
Yeywa Dam[12]	4	Myitnge River	790	2010	21°41′20″N 96°25′17″E / 21.68889°N 96.42139°E / 21.68889; 96.42139
Dapein I	5	Dapein River	168	2005
Dapein II	6	Dapein River	240	2006
[13]	7	Paunglaung River	140	2009-12
[13]	8	Paung Laung River	280	2005
Zaungtu Dam	9	Bago River	20	2000-3	Bago Region
II	10		48	1960, 1992-8	Karenni State
Sedawgyi	11	Chaungmagyi River	25	1989-6	Mandalay Region, Mogok
Mogok[14]	12		4	yes	Mandalay Region
Zawgyt (1)[14]	13		18	yes	Shan State
Kattalu (Kyunsu)[14]	14		.15	yes	Tanintharyi Region
Hopin Dam[14]	15		1.26	yes
Kunhing[14]	16		.15	yes	Shan State 21°18′0″N 98°26′0″E / 21.3°N 98.433333°E / 21.3; 98.433333
Namlat (Kyaington)[14]	17		.48	yes	Shan State
Chinshwehaw Dam[14]	18		0.1	yes	Shan State
Kinda Dam[14][15]	19	Panlaung river	56	1985	Mandalay Reg.. Thazi Township
Selu[14]	20		.024		Shan State
Malikyun (Palaw)[14]	21		.192		Tanintharyi Region
Matupi (Namlaung)[14]	22		.2		Chin State
Maing Lar[14]	23		.06		Shan State
Baluchaung I [14]	24		28		Kayah State
Ching Hkran Dam[14]	25		2.52		Kachin State
Laiva Dam[14]	26		0.96 - 0.6		Chin State
Nam Wop Dam[14]	27		3		Shan State
Nammyao (Lashio) Dam[14]	28		4		Shan State
Chinshwehaw (Extension) Dam[14]	29		.2		Shan State
Kunlon Dam[14]	30	Salween River	0.5		Shan State
Zi Chaung Dam[14]	31		1.26		Sagaing Region
Nam Hkam Hka Dam (Mogaung)[14]	32		5		22°17′0″N 97°40′0″E / 22.283333°N 97.666667°E / 22.283333; 97.666667 Kachin State
Nam Suang Ngaung (Kyaukme)[14]	33		4		Shan State
Lahe[14]	34		.05		Sagaing Region
Tui swang (Tonzang)[14]	35		.2		Chin State
Che Chaung (Mindat)[14]	36		.2
Thapanseik Dam	37		30	2002-6	Sagaing Region
Paung Laung Dam[13]	38		280	2004	19°47′16″N 95°31′5″E / 19.78778°N 95.51806°E / 19.78778; 95.51806
Lawpita Dam	39		192	1992	Kayah state
Monechaung[11]	40		75	2004
Total	40	Hydro plants	3,048.5 MW	commission	All Burma

List of Planned Hydroelectric Dams in Burma

Name	#	Impounds	Capacity (MW)	Commission	Location
Myitsone Dam	1	Irawaddy River	3600	2017 est.	25°41′23″N 97°31′4″E / 25.68972°N 97.51778°E / 25.68972; 97.51778
Chibwe Dam[11]	2	N'Mai River	2000		25°53′36″N 98°7′49″E / 25.89333°N 98.13028°E / 25.89333; 98.13028
Pashe Dam[11]	3	N'Mai River	1600		26°29′0″N 98°18′59″E / 26.483333°N 98.31639°E / 26.483333; 98.31639
Lakin Dam[11]	4	N'Mai River	1400		Lakin26°35′45″N 98°24′22″E / 26.59583°N 98.40611°E / 26.59583; 98.40611
Phizaw Dam[11]	5	N'Mai River	1500
Kaunglanphu Dam[11]	6	N'Mai River	1700
Laiza Dam[11]	7	Mali River	1560		26°32′11″N 97°44′34″E / 26.53639°N 97.74278°E / 26.53639; 97.74278
Chibwe Creek Dam[11]	8	N'Mai River (Chibwe Creek)	99		25°53′40″N 98°8′40″E / 25.89444°N 98.14444°E / 25.89444; 98.14444
Shwe Kyin Dam	10	Shwe Kyin Chaung (Stream)	75		17°58′24″N 96°56′15″E / 17.97333°N 96.9375°E / 17.97333; 96.9375
Tarpein I [16]Tarpien I [17]	13	Tarpein River	240
Tarpein II Dam	14	Tarpein River	168
Nam Myaw Dam	16		4
Shweli II Dam	17	Shweli River	460
Shweli III Dam	18	Shweli River	360
Upper Thanlwin- Kunlong Dams	19	Salween River	2400		23°31′54″N 98°36′40″E / 23.53167°N 98.61111°E / 23.53167; 98.61111
Mepan (Meipan) Dam	22		1.26
Kunhein (Kunheng) Dam	23		0.15
Kyaing Ton (Kengtung) Dam	24		0.48
TaSang Dam	26	Salween River	7110		20°27′23″N 98°39′0″E / 20.45639°N 98.65°E / 20.45639; 98.65
Kengtawng Dam	27		54
Kyaukme Dam	30		4
Watwon Dam	31		0.5
Dattawgyaing Dam	33		36
Kyeeon Kyeewa Dam	39		75
Buywa Dam	40		60
Nancho Dam	41		40
Paung Laung Dam[13]	44		280
Thaukyegat I Dam	45		150		Kayin State
Thaukyegat II Dam	46		120		Kayin State
Kapaung Dam	47		30
Kunchaung Dam	48		60
Yenwe Dam	49		25
Kyauk Naga Dam	51		75
Hat Gyi Dam[18]	52	Salween River	1200
Dagwin dam[6][19]	53	Salween River	792
Tamanthi[20][21]	54	Chindwin River	1200
Weigyi[6]	56	Salween River	4540		18°37′47″N 97°21′39″E / 18.62972°N 97.36083°E / 18.62972; 97.36083
Mobye Dam	57	Balu Chaung River	168
Datawcha Dam	58	Balu Chaung River	28
Tha Htay Chaung[22]	59		111		Thandwe Township
Ann Chaung[22]	60	Ann River	10		Ann Township
Sai Din Dam[22][23]	61	Sai Din Waterfall	76.5	2014 est.	Buthidaung
Laymro Dam[22]	62	Laymro River	500
Shwesayay Dam[20]	63	Chindwin River	600
Taninthayi[24]	65		600
Htamanthi[25]	66		1200
Tajan[26]	67
Nam Kok	68		42,100 to 150
Bilin	85		280		Mon State
Phyu	87		65		Bago Region
Bawgata	88		160		Kayin State

Irrigation only

List of Hydroelectric Dams in Burma

Name	#	impounds	irrigated area	Coordinates
Chaungmagyi Dam	1		3,000 acres (12 km2)
Kataik Dam	2		irrigation
Ngalaik Dam	3		irrigation & industrial water	Pyinmana Township
Yezin Dam	4		irrigation	19°51′54″N 96°16′59″E / 19.865°N 96.28306°E / 19.865; 96.28306

In addition there were at least 10 major irrigation dams completed during the period between 1962 and 1988.^[2]

See also

• List of power stations in Asia
• List of largest power stations in the world

Notes

1. ^ Mon Youth Progressive Organization. 2007. In the Balance: Salween Dams Threaten Downstream Communities in Burma; Shan Sapawa. 2006. Warning Signs:An Update on Plans to Dam the Salween in Burma’s Shan State; Karen Rivers Watch. 2004. Damming at Gunpoint:Burma Atrocities Pave the Way for Salween Dams in Karen State; & Salween Watch, Southeast Asia Rivers Network & Center for Social Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University. 2004. The Salween Under Threat:Damming the Longest Free River in Southeast Asia. All available at [1] 25 ‘缅甸萨尔温江战略合作框架协议签署 (Salween River Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement Signed).’ 金融界, 28 April 2008.[2] 26 ‘激战瑞丽江——水电十四局瑞丽江电站截流施工纪实 (Shweli River Fierce Battle-Shweli Dam 14th Bureau Damming Construction).’ Sinohydro Website, 26 February 2007. [3] For photographs of construction at the Shweli I Dam site see ‘瑞丽江项目部图库 (Shweli River Project Bureau Photographs).’ Sinohydro’s 14th Engineering Bureau Dali Sub-bureau Website, 29 June 2007.[4] 27 ‘中国在缅甸投资的首个水电项目成功截流 (China’s First Hydropower Investment in Burma Successfully Dammed).’ China Electricity Council, 13 December 2006. [5]; For more information regarding the Shweli Cascade see Palaung Youth Network Group. 2007. Under the Boot. Available in English and Chinese at [6] Sinohydro’s 14th Bureau Dali Sub-bureau Website
2. ^ ‘瑞丽江电站胜利实现截流 (Shweli River Hydropower Station Triumphantly Blocks Water).’ Sinohydro’s 14th Engineering Bureau Dali Sub-bureau Website, 11 December 2006. [7] 29 ‘Myanmar Installs More Transmission Lines for New Power Plant.’ Xinhua General News Service, 5 July 2007; ‘About Huyong.’ Ningbo Huyong Electric Power Material Co. Website.[8] [Thanks toCourier Research Associates for providing this link.] ; & ‘缅甸瑞丽江一级电站工程总承建包合同在昆签字 (ContractsSigned in Kunming for Shweli I Dam).’ Sinohydro’s 14th Engineering Bureau Website, 5 July 2007. 30 For more information, see Kachin Development Network Group. 2007. Damming the Irrawaddy. Available at [9]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} CHINA IN BURMA: THE INCREASING INVESTMENT OF CHINESE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS IN BURMA’S HYDROPOWER, OIL AND NATURAL GAS, AND MINING SECTORS BURMA’S HYDROPOWER, OIL AND NATURAL GAS, AND MINING SECTORS UPDATED: September 2008
2. ^ ^{a b} "Irrigation Works in Myanmar". Irrigation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. 2004. http://www.irrigation.gov.mm/works/between1962and1988.html. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
3. ^ http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/NLM-2003/enlm/Aug19_h1.html>
4. ^ ^{a b} "Country Profiles -Myanmar". Water Power Magazine. International Water Power and Dam Construction. http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2036487. Retrieved 10 February 2010. 
5. ^ "Myanmar -Future Projects 1. HYDRO". Jakarta: Asean Centre for Energy. 1-14-2003. http://www.aseanenergy.org/energy_sector/electricity/myanmar/future_hydro_projects.htm. Retrieved 23 February 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d e} Akimoto, Yuki (6-2004). "Hydro-powering the Regime". The Irawaddy, Vol. 12, No. 6 (Irrawaddy Publishing Group). http://www.irrawaddy.org/print_article.php?art_id=3757. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
7. ^ Country Profiles
8. ^ HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT WITH A FOCUS ON ASIA AND WESTERN EUROPE. Overview in the framework of VLEEM 2. ECN Policy Studies. 7-2003. http://www.vleem.org/PDF/11-2003/annex7.pdf. 
9. ^ "Black day for Burma’s Irrawaddy: junta ministers host Myitsone dam “celebration”". Burma Digest. Dec 22nd, 2009. http://burmadigest.info/2009/12/22/black-day-for-burma’s-irrawaddy-junta-ministers-host-myitsone-dam-“celebration”/. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
10. ^ "Myanmar biggest hydropower plant to be put on test run". LETTING THE RIVERS RUN FREE. Burma Rivers Network. 11-22-2009. http://burmariversnetwork.org/news/11-news/268-myanmar-biggest-hydropower-plant-to-be-put-on-test-run.html. Retrieved 10 February 2010. 
11. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY OF BURMA/MYANMAR ON-LINE COMPENDIUM". BurmaLibrary.org. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs2/myanmar-elec.pdf. Retrieved 16 February 2010. 
12. ^ "Yeywa Hydropower Project, an Overview". Vietnam National Commission On Large Dams. http://www.burmariversnetwork.org/burmese/images/stories/documents/yeywaoverview.pdf. Retrieved 9 February 2010. 
13. ^ ^{a b c d} "Upper and Lower Paunglaung Dams". burmariversnetwork.org. 2010. http://www.burmariversnetwork.org/dam-projects/lower-and-upper-paunglaung.html. Retrieved March 9, 2010. 
14. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y} "Completed and On-Going Projects". ASEAN Centre for Energy. 5-9-2006. http://www.aseanenergy.org/energy_sector/electricity/myanmar/completes_on_going_projects.htm. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
15. ^ Nyauggyat (Kinda) Dam Multipurpose Project ]
16. ^ Dam
17. ^ Chinese Dam Incurs KIO Wrath
18. ^ "News Thailand and Myanmar agree Salween investment". Water Power and Dam Construction. http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2033031. Retrieved 10 February 2010. 
19. ^ "Dagwin Dam, Dam Specifications". LETTING THE RIVERS RUN FREE. Burma Rivers Network. 2010. http://www.burmariversnetwork.org/dam-projects/salween-dams/dagwin.html. Retrieved 7 February 2010. 
20. ^ ^{a b} "Myanmar, India sign hydro deal Mo". The Myanmar Times (Salween Watch). 11-22-2008. http://www.salweenwatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180:myanmar-india-sign-hydro-deal&catid=34:news&Itemid=56. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 
21. ^ "Bhel, NHPC in joint bid to bring Myanmar project back on track". LETTING THE RIVERS RUN FREE. Burma Rivers Network. 2-13-2009. http://www.burmariversnetwork.org/news/news-archives/162-bhel-nhpc-in-joint-bid-to-bring-myanmar-project-back-on-track.html. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 
22. ^ ^{a b c d} "Hydro-power projects to produce over 600 MW in Arakan state". Burma News International. 1-14-2009. http://www.bnionline.net/news/narinjara/5684-hydro-power-projects-to-produce-over-600-mw-in-arakan-state.html. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 
23. ^ "Sai Din Hydropower Project Resumes". Burma News. Democracy for Burma. http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/sai-din-hydropower-project-resumes-the-project-has-already-started-with-the-help-of-the-chinese-government-and-it-is-a-five-year-project-set-to-complete-in-2014/. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 
24. ^ waterpowermagazine.com (October 15, 2008). "Myanmar plans Taninthayi, sees Yeywa two-thirds complete". waterpowermagazine.com. http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2051219. Retrieved March 9, 2010. 
25. ^ waterpowermagazine.com (September 23, 2008). "NHPC signs major hydro MoU with Myanmar". waterpowermagazine.com. http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2051004. Retrieved March 9, 2010. 
26. ^ waterpowermagazine.com (April 5, 2007). "China Gezhouba set for Mombela, Tajan and delivers at Busan". waterpowermagazine.com. http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2043491. Retrieved March 9, 2010. 

External sources

• Map of Dams in Burma
• Dams in Burma - Interactive map
• Photo Gallery of Dams from 1961 to 2004
• historical background of the Ministry of Electric Power
• Myanmar Future Projects 1. HYDRO
• Completed and On-Going Projects - Hydropower