World Bank backs power generation as key to Myanmar development

• 12 years ago (2013-02-06)
• David Flin

Africa 328 Asia 931 Australasia 59 Biomass 8 Clean energy 1 Climate change 22 Coal 317 Cogeneration 1 Concentrating solar 6 Cyber security 8 Decarbonisation 2 Decentralised energy 6 Demand side management 3 Demand side response 2 Digitalisation 11 Distributed energy 10 Distribution 134 Electric vehicles EVs 4 Emissions 66 Energy management 3 Equipment 2 Europe 1108 Gas 414 Gas engine plant 69 Gas fuel 3 Horizon 2 Hydroelectric 17 Hydrogen 66 Hydropower 142 Latin America 88 Maintenance 4 Marine 1 Metering 2 microgrid 5 Middle East 337 North America 1042 Nuclear 680 Offshore wind 123 Oil 21 Operations 4 Policy 9 Regulations 3 Renewables 791 smart grid 2 Solar 286 Storage 45 substation 8 Tepco 2 Tidal 2 Toshiba 4 Transmission 206 US Senate Washington 4 Wind 269

---

Axel van Trotsenburg, the East Asia and Pacific Vice President of the World Bank, has said that improving electricity supply is a key development priority requiring public and private investment. He said: “Turning on the lights in Myanmar will enable children to read at night, and encourage villagers to start new businesses which will lead to growth and jobs. Sufficient, reliable and affordable electricity will help to relieve poverty in rural areas and create opportunities for all.” He said that only 25 per cent of the population currently has access to reliable supply of electricity.

According to the World Bank, Myanmar’s economy grew at 5.5 per cent in 2011-12. The country is expected to reach 6.3 per cent growth in fiscal 2012-13. The World Bank is providing $165 million in zero-interest loans for priority needs, in addition to a $80 million grant for community-driven development.