Myanmar (Burma)
The country is well-endowed with hydro resources:
its technically feasible potential is put at 37 000
MW. At an assumed annual capacity factor of 0.40,
this level would imply an annual output capability
of approximately 130 TWh; recently, annual hydro output
has been about 1.6 TWh. Severe water shortages in
1999 brought about a drastic reduction in hydro-electric
output, the year’s total falling to less than half
the normal level. Given a return to historical amounts
of precipitation, there appears to be ample scope
for substantial development of hydropower in the long
term.
Current hydro capacity is about 340 MW; plants under
construction will virtually treble this total within
a few years. A 280 MW plant is scheduled to be completed
at Paung Laung in 2002, whilst Nan Kok (200 MW) and
two other stations are expected to enter service not
long afterwards.
Nepal
There is a huge theoretical potential for hydropower,
estimated to be in the region of 83 000 MW, but the
economically feasible potential is assessed at 42
000 MW or about 147 TWh (at an assumed average capacity
factor of 0.40). Output of hydro-electricity in 1999
was about 1.5 TWh, only 1% of the estimated economic
potential. Hydro currently provides almost all of
Nepal’s electric power.
Total hydro capacity at end-1999 was 389 MW; a further
289 MW of capacity was reported to be under construction
at that time. This increment includes Khimti I (60
MW), which was completed in July 2000, and Kali Gandaki
A (144 MW) which was due for completion in mid-2001.
A number of other, smaller hydro plants are in various
stages of construction, with completion expected during
the next four years.
Nepal’s topography gives it enormous scope for the
development of hydro-electricity, which probably provides
the only realistic basis for its further economic
development. Small-scale hydro plants are the most
viable option for rural electrification. Large projects,
however, in view of Nepal’s limited financial resources,
would probably require power export contracts with
India as a prerequisite.
