Energy Sector Management Assistance Program Director-General U Khant Zaw and Italian Ambassador Ms. Alessandra Schiavo sign the soft loan agreement for NEP in the presence of Union Minister Dr. Aung Thu. photo: mna
Soft loan agreement for National Electrification Plan in collaboration with the Italian government was signed at the Department of Rural Development on 30 April.
At the event, Union Minister Dr. Aung Thu said efforts were made to distribute electricity to the areas outside the realm of main power lines by long and short term implementations.
The department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation launched its first five year project in the 2016-2017 fiscal year and electricity have been supplied to about 9,874 villages.
About 229,000 households and 32,000 public institutions have gotten access to electricity through the solar power system in 2017- 2018 FY.
He went on to say that for the 24 hour electrification in 26 villages, solar power system, mini hydro power plant and biofuel-fired power plant are being implemented.
The ministry targeted to supply electricity to 237,000 households and 22,000 public institutions in this fiscal year. So far, loan of US$68.22 million from the World Bank, contribution of US$25.26 million from the State and US$ 6.9 million from the public have been spent for the benefits of rural population.
He added that according to the survey by the World Bank and (ESMAP), solar power system will benefit the rural areas enormously and that about 25.6% of rural households outside the realm of national grid system are targeted to get access to electricity at the end of this fiscal year. He expressed his gratitude to the Italian government for the Euro 30 million loan.
Afterward, Italian Ambassador Ms. Alessandra Schiavo and Country Director of the World Bank Ms. Eilen Goldstein delivered key-note addresses.
The Director-General of the Rural Area Development Department U Khant Zaw signed the soft loan agreement with the Italian ambassador and with the World Bank’s country director for technical assistance.
This soft loan agreement will benefit rural population of 0.48 million in Chin state and surrounding area.—MNA
(Translated by Alphonsus)
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