Myanmar-Thai Transmission Line

Interconnection

In July 1997, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Myanmar and Thailand for purchase of power from Myanmar up to 1500 MW by the year 2010. Pursuant to the MOU, each side has established a committee consisting of representatives from the relevant govemment departments in order to implement the power purchase program.

On the Thai side "The committee on the Implementation of Power Purchase Program from the Union of Myanmar" is chaired by the Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) with (5) members from the National Energy Policy Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Energy Development and Promotion National Economic and Social Development y uneni Border and representative from EGAT as secretary.

Whereas on the Myanmar side it is chaired by the Managing Director of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE) with (6) members from the Department of Electric Power (DEP), Energy Planning Department (EP D), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Planning and Economic Development, Hydro-power Implementation Department (MEPE) and Chief Engineer of MEPE as secretary.

At the first Committee meeting held in "Tachilek" on 29th April 1998, working committees consisting of technical experts, from both countries have been formed to ctudy in detail the possibility of connecting transmission system between the two countries.

Due to the current economic situation in Thailand, the power demand in Thailand has significantly slowed down and Thailand will have huge surplus power for the next few years. On the other hand, Myanmar is in need of electric power at the moment. This situation means that Thailand could be exporting electricity to Myanmar for some period of time before importing.

In view of this present scenario, at the second meeting of the two committees in Yangon in January 1999, the idea of early interconnection of the two grids via. Mae Sod - Myawaddy - Paan and Bago was discussed to import the surplus power from Thailand and to export back in future when the export-oriented power projects in Myanmar are completed.