Friday, 25 May 2012 16:18 Mizzima News
Burma’s power shortages are mainly due to the country's inadequate power grid, and China is willing to ask its companies to discuss upgrading the country's power grid to help ease shortages in the future, according to a Chinese government spokesman.
Burmese protesters have accused Burma’s government of selling electrical energy to China, which, they say, has contributed to frequent power outages in Burma.
“The Chinese government has always demanded that its companies conduct economic and trade cooperation with Myanmar in line with the principle of mutual benefit, so as to benefit the people of both countries,” said qvForeign Ministry spokesman at a routine press conference.
He said China would encourage Chinese experts and companies to offer assistance, if requested by Burma.
In late April, due to an insufficient electricity supply in the country, Buma’s electrical power authorities barred industrial zones, factories and workshops from using electricity for a fixed period during the night in order to create an alternative supply of power for public use when such use peaks between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time, according to the Xinhua news agency. Power shortages and rolling blackouts have occurred in Rangoon, Mandalay and other cities.
So far, authorities have avoided using force to end the demonstrations. The authorities have blamed the Kachin Independence Organization for bombing four electrical pylons, disrupting the power grid. Also, q lack of rain has caused low water levels at hydropower reservoirs, it said.
Burmese authorities said on Thursday that 52 heavy-duty generators have been ordered from foreign companies. The generators will arrive within one week, officials said.
Burma’s power shortages are mainly due to the country's inadequate power grid, and China is willing to ask its companies to discuss upgrading the country's power grid to help ease shortages in the future, according to a Chinese government spokesman.
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| A night view of Rangoon Photo: Mizzima / Ye Min |
Burmese protesters have accused Burma’s government of selling electrical energy to China, which, they say, has contributed to frequent power outages in Burma.
“The Chinese government has always demanded that its companies conduct economic and trade cooperation with Myanmar in line with the principle of mutual benefit, so as to benefit the people of both countries,” said qvForeign Ministry spokesman at a routine press conference.
He said China would encourage Chinese experts and companies to offer assistance, if requested by Burma.
In late April, due to an insufficient electricity supply in the country, Buma’s electrical power authorities barred industrial zones, factories and workshops from using electricity for a fixed period during the night in order to create an alternative supply of power for public use when such use peaks between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time, according to the Xinhua news agency. Power shortages and rolling blackouts have occurred in Rangoon, Mandalay and other cities.
So far, authorities have avoided using force to end the demonstrations. The authorities have blamed the Kachin Independence Organization for bombing four electrical pylons, disrupting the power grid. Also, q lack of rain has caused low water levels at hydropower reservoirs, it said.
Burmese authorities said on Thursday that 52 heavy-duty generators have been ordered from foreign companies. The generators will arrive within one week, officials said.
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