Kayin residents fear coal plant may go ahead
Kayin residents fear coal plant may go ahead
Myanmar Times, 09 Apr 2018
URL: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/kayin-residents-fear-coal-plant-may-go-ahead.html
Kayin State residents expressed concern the construction of a coal power plant in their area might continue despite the decision of the Union government to reject the project.
Saw Nay Lin Htun, a resident of Hpa-an, said the state government might overrule the decision of Union government and decide to push through with the project.
“Although the project has been declared cancelled at the Union level this remains unclear at state level,” he said. “Public access to information on the project remains limited, and land has recently been purchased by TTCL (Toyo Thai Power Myanmar Co Ltd) in the project area. “
On March 14, Union Minister of Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing announced at a news conference that the Myanmar government will not grant permission for the proposed 1,280-megawatt coal power plant in Hpa-an.
“We are very happy and appreciate the announcement of the Union minister that this project has been cancelled. Despite our happiness at the result, we remain cautious, Saw Aung Than Htwe said. A total of 131 local organisations and residents signed the open letter and made three requests to the Union Government: to cancel all proposed and suspended coal-fired power plants, to pass a national moratorium on coal power plants, and to promote and regulate the implementation of sustainable renewable energy projects.
In April 2017, the Kayin State government (KSG) and TTCL signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed Hpa-An coal plant. In June 2017, 42 Kayin State-based civil society organisations and 130 other CSOs issued a statement opposing the project.
The proposed project site was on the Thanlwin River. Local civil society groups collected around 2980 signatures from Kayin State residents who opposed the project and submitted them to the Karen State chief minister.
Saw Nay Lin Htun, a resident of Hpa-an, said the state government might overrule the decision of Union government and decide to push through with the project.
“Although the project has been declared cancelled at the Union level this remains unclear at state level,” he said. “Public access to information on the project remains limited, and land has recently been purchased by TTCL (Toyo Thai Power Myanmar Co Ltd) in the project area. “
On March 14, Union Minister of Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing announced at a news conference that the Myanmar government will not grant permission for the proposed 1,280-megawatt coal power plant in Hpa-an.
“We are very happy and appreciate the announcement of the Union minister that this project has been cancelled. Despite our happiness at the result, we remain cautious, Saw Aung Than Htwe said. A total of 131 local organisations and residents signed the open letter and made three requests to the Union Government: to cancel all proposed and suspended coal-fired power plants, to pass a national moratorium on coal power plants, and to promote and regulate the implementation of sustainable renewable energy projects.
In April 2017, the Kayin State government (KSG) and TTCL signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed Hpa-An coal plant. In June 2017, 42 Kayin State-based civil society organisations and 130 other CSOs issued a statement opposing the project.
The proposed project site was on the Thanlwin River. Local civil society groups collected around 2980 signatures from Kayin State residents who opposed the project and submitted them to the Karen State chief minister.