Two small hydro-projects in Sagaing face delays due to security and supply issues
63
Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - November 20
According to information obtained by The Statesman from people familiar with the projects, the completion of the projects is delayed because supplies to the two small hydropower projects in Sagaing Region, Nampanga and Hwe Htike, are delivered only once a year, during the high water levels of the Chindwin River, under security measures.
The two projects faced difficulties in transporting construction materials such as iron and related materials, cement, steel bars, and diesel fuel to the project site on time due to the prevailing local conditions.
In addition, the completion of these projects has been delayed due to the difficulties of transporting construction materials with security guards, which only occur once a year when the Chindwin River is at its highest level, according to a person close to the project.
The Nampanga Hydropower Project is located near Nar Tha Kyike Village, about 7.5 miles west of Homalin Township. Construction began on July 3, 2019, and was first scheduled to be completed in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. However, due to the above-mentioned delays, this has been rescheduled to the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
In addition, the Hwe Htike Small Hydropower Project is located on Hwe Htike Stream, approximately two miles (as the straight line) southwest of Lahe Township, Hkamti District, Nagaland Self-Administered Zone, Sagaing Region. Construction began in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and is expected to be completed in 2027-2028.
The Nampanga Small Hydropower Project has an installed capacity of six megawatts and can generate an average of 34.68 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, while the Hwe Htike Small Hydropower Project has an installed capacity of four megawatts and can generate an average of 20.38 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
By 2023, the Nampanga Hydropower Project was 41.71 percent complete. Once completed, the small hydropower project will be able to provide sufficient electricity to local residents and MSMEs in nearby villages, including Homalin Township.
Similarly, the Hwe Htike Small Hydropower Project has only been under construction for more than two years, and once completed, it will be able to generate and distribute electricity to villages around Lahe Township.