Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing called for collective efforts as the increase in the flow of foreign investments depends much on the availability and quality of electricity supply, during his inspection of power distribution facilities in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area yesterday.
Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing also explained the ministry’s efforts for meeting the country’s annually rising electricity demand by tapping various energy sources and implementing new National Grids including the Eastern Grid, Western Grid, Southern Grid, and Northern Grid that cover the whole country through 500-kV cable lines. The completion date of 500-kV Meiktila (Kangaung)-Toungoo (Sabakyai)-Payagyi (Kamanat) National Grid project is set in the financial year 2021-2022, he added.
Accompanied by Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and departmental personnel, he visited the national grid control centre, 230-kV power sub-stations and power distribution facilities and undertakings.
After hearing the reports of the officials at the facilities, the Union Minister looked into their requirements. He said the cable lines would prevent the occasional occurrence of system breakdowns when completed. The work of replacing the old cable lines with Optical Fibre Ground Wire (OPGW) should be accelerated in extending SCADA System Network till materializing the automated power supply system as the main goal of the whole project is the smart grid. As for the continuous supply of power during the occurrence of a fault, Single Circuit power lines must be substituted with Double Circuit lines. Apart from introducing the ring main distribution system, the installation of a safer N-1 Criterion System and a steadier radial distribution system is also underway. Hence, the harmonious development of power distribution alongside the application of the said systems has become a must. Control centres such as the National Control Centre (NCC) in Nay Pyi Taw and Load Dispatching Centre (LDC) in Yangon are now in operation, and the erection of regional control centres (RCC) in Mandalay and other suitable major towns is in progress.
The ministry has established four zones for ensuring effective electricity generation control in fulfilling the annually rising power demand. So, there must be a balanced development between all the four zones – Zone A in Mandalay, Zone B in Nay Pyi Taw, Zone C in Magway and Zone D in Yangon. The Union Minister pointed out the importance of well-timed completion of the project and swift financial settlement programmes in support of the resurgence of the national economy and money circulation of the country including the private sector.
As the most basic need of the people is transport and energy, the ministry should pay special attention to its mission as it is related with social, education, health and employment opportunities of the public, said the Union Minister.
The Union Minister, the deputy minister and officials also made arrangements for the well-functioning of the smart grid that ensures quality and full voltage power supply, SCADA System that operates unmanned sub-station through the automation system during the trip.—MNA
(Translated by TMT)
