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SALWEEN WATCH HOTMAIL-OUT STATUS OF THE HYDRO POWER PROJECTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOR POWER EXPORT TO THAILAND EGAT 24TH December 1998 A document titled as above was leaked earlier this year and was passed
to Salween Watch. The document discussed 3 projects that were being investigated
by 3 companies: the MDX Group of Companies (Thailand), Marubeni Corporation
(Japan) and Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited. The 3 groups
were working together on an initial project, the medium Nam Kok hydropower
project. It appears that they have subsequently split up to focus on 2
other larger projects. This however could be simply appearances – the
close links may still remain. 1. Nam Kok Hydropower Project Location: About 64 km south of Mong Hsat in Eastern Shan State, River System: Nam Kok River, right side tributary of the Mekong River Project Status: 1. In September 1996, agreement between Myanma Electric Power Enterprise [MEPE] and a group of developers consisting of Marubeni Corporation of Japan, Italian-Thai Development Public Co. Ltd. And MDX Group of Companies was signed for the feasibility of the Nam Kok Hydropower Project. 2. At present, Developer’s Consultant, NEWJEC Inc. of Japan is finishing the feasibility study. The final report will be available by the end of December 1998 3. According to the Draft Feasibility Report, the installed capacity
of the project is 42 megawatts, capable of producing 230 Gwh annually.
The financial feasibility of the project is marginal due to the unfavourable
topographical and geological condition of the selected dam [NOTE: The Feasibility Study has since been submitted – but is said to have been rejected on the basis of the project being financially unfeasible. One source also alleges that the developers have had difficulties with local businesses and the Tourism authority. This may or may not be true, depending on the long term strategy of the governments, which may involve making the project seem dead until such time as the increased perception of need for water makes it appear viable again.]
Location: About 65 km North of Pa-an in the Karen State, and River System: Thanlwin River (Salween) Project Status: 1. In June 1997, agreement between Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise and a group of developers led by Marubeni Corporation of Japan and Italian-Thai Development Public Co. Ltd was signed for the Pre-feasibility study of Hutgyi Hydropower Project. 2. According to the Draft Pre-feasibility Report submitted by Developer’s Consultant, the installed capacity of the project is 300 MW, capable of producing constant energy as a base load of 2,148 Gwh annually. 3. The project is designed as a run-of-river type power plant with a pondage that will utilize a huge amount of discharge (firm discharge 1,420 m3/s) with the help of a low height dam, in order not to submerge the international boundary between two countries. 3. Tasang Hydropower Project Location: About 30 km northwest of Mong Ton in Eastern Shan State, and about 80km from the Myanmar - Thai border River System: The Thanlwin River Project Status: 1. In September 1997, agreement between Myanma Economic Corporation and MDX Group of Companies (GMS Power Public Company Ltd) was signed for the feasibility study of the Tasang Hydropower Project. 2. Developers Consultant Lahmeyer International has submitted the Pre-feasibility Study Report in April 1998. 3. According to the Pre-feasibility Study, the installed capacity of the project is about 3,300 MW, capable of producing 23,000 Gwh annually. 4. At present Developer has assigned Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.
[EPDC] to perform feasibility study for the project with a target for
completion of the study
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