China to build two more hydropower plants in Shan State

Originally appeared in Shan Herald News Agency

June 1, 2010

The Burmese military junta had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Chinese officials to build two more hydropower plants in Shan State North during the visit of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping to Naypyitaw in December 2009, according to a report from the China-Salween, an Environment group that focuses on hydropower developments along the Salween (Thanlwin) River and its tributaries.

According to a New Light of Myanmar (NLM) report on 21 December 16 MoUs and agreements had been signed during the visit including three on hydropower arrangements, but no more details were reported.

The agreement was signed on December 20 between China Hydropower Engineering Consulting Group (HydroChina) and the Union of Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power No. 1, for developing the Nao Pha (Nawng Pha ) Hydropower station on the mainstream Thanlwin (Salween) River and the Man Tung (Man Ton) Hydropower station on its tributary, Nam Ma River. Thanlwin River, better known as the Salween (Nu River in China), is Burma’s second largest river.

The said projects are estimated to generate 1200 megawatts and are among seven projects that will be initiated with foreign investment, the report quoted the Electric Power Minister-1 Zaw Min as saying.

According to HydroChina Corp’s website (www.hydrochina.com.cn), it is the “only giant enterprise that furnishes comprehensive and full range of technical services in the field of hydropower, water resources development and wind power development in China, including planning of river basins, reconnaissance, design, consultancy, construction supervision, appraisal, evaluation, safety appraisal, check and acceptance, construction, project management and EPC contracting for hydropower and new energy development, and development, investment, operation and management of hydropower and new energy projects as well.”

“The projects have already been drafted by the company,” the report said.

The report said “It seems probable that a hydropower plant on the Nam Ma could possibly generate some 200 – 300 MW. This would mean that the Nawngpha (Nao Pha) dam and power station on the Salween would be built to generate some 900 – 1000 MW,” according to the China Salween Watch.”

Man Ton (other spellings = Man Tung and Mantaung) is a village near the mouth of Nam Ma River in the northwestern part of the Wa region. This river rises near the Chinese border in the northeastern part of the Wa region and flows past the market town of Mong Mao (or Mongmai) to empty into the Salween (Thanlwin).

It added that both dams and power stations are located in what might be called Wa territory and could probably give rise to some complications that may lead the survey crews to be extra careful about security arrangements.

In February, the http://news.sohu.com reported that Chinese firms were planning to develop seven dams in the Wa and Mongla areas, which have been up in arms against Naypyitaw’s plan to transform all the armed groups that have ceasefire agreements into Burmese Army run militia forces.

One of them will be on the Nam Hka (also written Nam Kha) River, a tributary of the Nu-Salween River, that flows through the Wa capital Panghsang and another six will be built on the Nam Lwi (also written Nam Lwe) River, a tributary of the Mekong, that roughly serves as the boundary of areas under the control of the Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

A border watcher analyst said that it is one of the Burmese Army’s plans to destroy the armed groups. “Therefore it is providing more favour to the Chinese in order to draw them to its side.”

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