YANGON: Myanmar's Ministry of Electricity and Energy held a workshop in Naypyidaw on Wednesday (July 15) to promote greater use of solar energy as part of the country's electricity supply and strengthen long-term energy security, the state-owned daily The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Thursday (July 16).
Speaking at the workshop, Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Ko Ko Lwin (pic) said that reliable electricity is essential for national development and improving people's livelihoods, the report said.
He said that Myanmar's power generation still relies heavily on hydropower and natural gas, while climate change and volatile global energy prices pose growing challenges to energy security.
He said that the ministry is developing an optimal electricity generation mix based on domestic energy resources, adding that the government is encouraging both large-scale grid-connected solar power generation and the wider adoption of solar home systems by households and communities.
The workshop featured presentations by experts, panel discussions on accelerating solar energy development while maintaining the stability and reliability of Myanmar's electricity system, and interactive question-and-answer sessions, the report said.
In Myanmar, solar energy currently accounts for only about four percent of the country's total electricity generation, the official media reported. - Xinhua
