Achieving Universal Access to Electricity in Myanmar

First Workshop

Overview

An International Workshop on Achieving Universal Access to Electricity in Myanmar, co-organized by the Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP) of Myanmar and the World Bank, took place in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on May 31 and June 1, 2013.

This Workshop was intended to launch the preparation of a national electrification strategy for Myanmar, as part of country actions of the global Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative and supported by the ESMAP SE4ALL technical assistance program (S-TAP).

Background and Objectives

In February 2013, the Government of Myanmar requested the World Bank to develop an energy policy outline which was subsequently delivered in March. Among the scores of the pressing issues and needs facing the energy sector in Myanmar, the Government confirmed that the development of a national electrification strategy to guide electrification planning and implementation was one of the priority areas.

The objective of the Workshop is to share knowledge and exchange international experience, best practices, and innovative solutions in scaling-up access to electricity around the world. The key issues and challenges related to electricity access will be discussed, in order to propose an action plan for the development of the National Electrification Program for Myanmar.

Moreover, the workshop will bring multiple stakeholders including government agencies, multilateral and bilateral development agencies, and private sector representatives.

Summary and Next Steps

Approximately 150 participants attended at the workshop, including representatives from the government agencies of Myanmar, international and bilateral organizations, NGOs, and the private sector. The workshop agenda included presentations of different country experience in Asia, Africa and Latin America, panel discussions on various implementation issues related to national electrification, existing and planned support in the electricity sector by development partners, as well as open discussions on key elements of a national electrification strategy. International and bilateral organizations present at the Workshop included JICA, ADB, UNDP, DFID, US Department of State, and IFC in addition to World Bank.

The Workshop provided an important platform to engage different stakeholders internally and externally in the brainstorming and discussions on a range of issues related to the design and implementation of a national electrification program in Myanmar.

Myanmar is at an unprecedented juncture to launch a national electrification program for providing reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity services to the entire population of approximately 60 million. The government, international and bilateral organizations, and the private sector all demonstrated their commitment and interest in playing a role in the journey to achieving universal access. The government showed great appetite for open discussions on the challenges and taking an inclusive and coordinated approach to seeking technological and institutional solutions to national electrification. Nonetheless, the needs for investment and technical assistance/capacity building are tremendous. It is the objective of the World Bank/ESMAP-supported study to help chart out a path towards achieving universal access that is appropriate in the Myanmar context. The study will be in collaboration with other partners, including US Department of State, for better in-depth results. Such path is expected to be reflected in a strategic document for a national electrification program (NEP).

Presentations and Discussions

Day 1, May 31 2013

1. Global overview– Dejan Ostojic Global overview – Dejan Ostojic

2. Thailand– Tig Tuntivate Thailand RE Program – Tig Tuntivate

3. India– Sudeshna Ghosh Banerjee India – Sudeshna Ghosh Banerjee

4. Vietnam– Hung Tien Van Vietnam – Hung Tien Van

5. Thailand Laos and Cambodia– Jie Tang Thailand Laos and Cambodia – Jie Tang

6. Rwanda– Arun Sanghvi Rwanda – Arun Sanghvi

7. Indonesia– Arun Sanghvi Indonesia – Arun Sanghvi

8. Key Success Factors Across Good Practice NEPs– Arun Sanghvi Key Success Factors Across Good Practice NEPs – Arun Sanghvi

9.Electrification Planning and Technology– Xiaoping Wang Electrification Planning and Technology– Xiaoping Wang

Day 2, June 1 2013

1. ADB ADB MYA RE Presentation 31 May2013 FINAL

2. JICA: JICA Program in the Power Sector

3. UNDP: UNDP in Myanmar

4. WB– Questions Reflection WB Myanmar workshop Questions Reflection

Second Workshop

Overview

The Second Workshop on Development of Myanmar National Electrification Plan towards Universal Access, co-organized by the MOEP, MLFRD, and the World Bank, took place in Nay Pyi Taw on November 22, 2013.

Approximately 145 participants attended the workshop, including representatives from government agencies, international and bilateral organizations, and domestic institutions, including Myanmar Peace Center and Myanmar Development Research Institute. International and bilateral organizations present at the Workshop include JICA, ADB, UNIDO, US Department of State, Norway, BIF, and IFC in addition to the World Bank. The workshop discussed and finalized the design, methodology, and detailed work plan for both components of Myanmar’s National Electrification Plan (NEP).

The Workshop drew high level attention to both long term and short term challenges, and issues of providing affordable and sustainable electricity services to the entire population of Myanmar. The Workshop provided a platform to engage various stakeholders internally and externally to design and finalize the work plan and methodology of NEP. The main issues covered in the discussions of the Workshop included i) study objective, design and expected outcome, ii) national geospatial least-cost electrification planning, iii) universal access roadmap and investment prospectus, and iv) institutional framework and business models.

Background and Objectives

The NEP is envisaged to be a comprehensive action plan (road map) outlining the enabling policy and institutional framework for developing, financing, and implementing a nationwide electricity access scale-up program with the target of achieving universal access by 2030 in an effective and efficient manner. Specifically the NEP will include, inter alia, a GeospatialLeast-costElectrificationRollout plan for grid and off-grid areas, and a UniversalAccessRoadmap andInvestmentProspectus.

With strong support and commitment from GoM, the World Bank has mobilized a grant of approximately US$2.0 million through the UN Sustainable Energy for ALL Initiative, to support the GoM in developing a National Electrification Plan (NEP).

This work coordinates with ongoing rural energy access work in off-grid areas being conducted by ADB in collaboration with MOLFRD.

Presentations and Discussions

November 22, 2013

1. Plenary Session: Overview of Study Objective, Design and Expected Outcome

0Xiaoping-NEP workshop Overview presentation.nov 21.pptx‎

2. Technical Session #1: National Geospatial, Least-Cost Electrification Planning

1AA Vijay EI MMR Geospatial final annex.pptx‎

1AB Vijay EI MMR Geospatial final annex.pptx

File:WB NEP seminar ADB presentation Tharakan.pdf‎

3. Technical Session #2: Universal Access Roadmap and Investment Prospectus

2Peter-Roadmap and Prospectus 131121 v4.pptx‎

4. Technical Session #3: nstitutional Framework and Business Models

3Alfonso-FINAL Insitutional Framework For Electrifying Myanmar 11 21 2013.pptx‎

5. Summary of Workshop Discussions and Next Steps

mmary_Presentation_for_U_Khin_Maung_Win.pptx‎