Thai firm wins $350m Myanmar deal

Thai firm signs $350m 220MW Myanmar generating station deal
Thailand’s Green Earth Power Company has signed an agreement with the government to move forward on its plans to spend US$350mbuilding a 220-megawatt solar-power generating station near Minbu in Magwe Region, it was reported.
According to Green Earth managing director, U Aung Thiha, the facility will sit on 850 acres that are not suitable for agriculture with a completion date planned for 2017. “The first stage will see 50 megawatts of electric power produced by March 2016, with the total development time lasting three years,” he said, according to the news report.
The solar executive expressed that solar projects are proving successful in Asia, notably in Japan and Thailand, leading to the projection that given Myanmar’s favourable irradiation levels and marketing opening to foreign investors, there is no reason the company cannot also succeed in the country.
“We believe this project will succeed because of our international experience and global standard – though there will be a little bit of difficulty because it’s the first time [building in Myanmar],” he said. “It’s difficult transporting things that weigh over 30 tonnes, for example.”
The agreement covers 30 years of energy production, however, the tariff is still being negotiated and has not been announced, said the news report.
Clenergy completes 40MW mounting order for a flagship Pakistan project
With rich solar resources, high annual solar radiation and an energy shortfall of six gigawatts, Pakistan has become a boom market for solar companies from around the world. Clenergy has set its place in the emerging solar market and has recently partnered with China EPC and O&M provider TBEA SunOasis.
The Chinese PV manufacturer and system integrator on the flagship PV project has invited tenders for this project, which was followed by a thorough evaluation process to ensure successful completion for the first large-scale ground PV project in Pakistan.
Clenergy has also previously partnered with TBEA on utility scale solar projects in China’s northwest desert region. Leveraging on its desert experience Clenergy secured the 40MW Pakistan bid via a customized solar mounting solution suitable for the Pakistan project’s desert climate.
To meet the requirements of TBEA, the project deployed a tailor-made C-steel ground mounting system and Clenergy’s new string combiner box.
Clenergy said that the prefabrication enabled a faster and easier installation, which resulted in significant cost savings. The products ideally suit harsh desert like environments through their robust, durable and corrosion-resistance designs, said the company.