Myanmar’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE) has invited bids for the implementation of 1.06 GW of ground-mounted solar power projects from independent power producers (IPP) on a build-operate-own (BOO) basis.

The BOO model is one where a private company constructs, runs, and possesses ownership of a solar project for a specified period (usually long-term) and sells power to the consumer, which in this case is the government.

The tender documents said that the concession period would be 20 years from the commercial operation date (COD). The tender form fee is 300,000 Myanmar Kyat (~$216), and the last date for the submission of bids is June 18, 2020.

The Ministry specified 30 substations and power projects as designated connection points for the projects. There were 14 locations with a maximum allowed project capacity of 40 MW. Also, another 15 projects come with a 30 MW cap, and one with a limit of 50 MW.

The locations specified by the MOEE included the Chauk, Taungdwingyi, Ta Nyaung, Buddhakone, Chaungku, Belin, Letpanhla, Myingyan, Tharzi, Thapyaywa, Taungoo, Tharyargone, Thephyu, Kamarnat, Minhla, Oakshitpin, Aungchanthar, Ngapyawdine, Nyaungpingyi, Ohntaw, Wartaya, Nay Pyi Taw, Shwemyo, Pathein, Kyaiklat, and Athoke substations. It also included the Kyungchaung, Shwedaung, and Myanaung power projects.

Last year, Singapore-based startup SolarHome, a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) solar solutions provider for off-grid households in Myanmar, secured another $1 million equity from its existing investor Trirec. SolarHome, which was launched in 2017, has been seeded by fintech venture builder FORUM and has core operations in Myanmar with 20 branches in four regions.

Notably, over the years, India has gradually strengthened its position as an electricity exporting nation. India is now exporting power to Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar. Per Central Electricity Authority, the first time India turned around from a net importer of electricity to net exporter of electricity was in the financial year (FY) 2016-17 (April to February 2017). India exported around 5,798 million units (MUs) to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, which was 213 MUs more than the import of around 5,585 MUs from Bhutan.

Image credit:  Lightrock Power