Mandalay, Myanmar, 29 December 2022 – Myanmar’s latest solar energy plant – the 20 megawatts (MW) build-own-operate (BOO) Taung Daw Gwin project – was officially opened, adding a new chapter to the country’s sustainability and electrification efforts.

The project was developed by Green Power Energy Limited (“GPE”), a subsidiary of Gold Energy Company Limited (GE), a leading renewable energy developer in Myanmar.

Taung Daw Gwin is the second mega-scale solar project to be completed by GE’s group of companies. Clean Power Energy Limited, another GE subsidiary, completed the 30-MW Thapyay Wa project in Mandalay district in December 2021.

With the official opening of the Taung Daw Gwin project, GE’s solar energy capacity stands at 50 MW, together with GE’s 120-MW Thaukyegat (2) hydropower project. Taung Daw Gwin project started transmission to the National Grid on 17 November 2022.

Located on an 80.9-hectare site southeast of Kyaukse, Myit Thar Township, the Taungdaw Gwin project utilized a solar tracking system so as to maximize photovoltaic (PV) energy captured by 45,980 solar panels. The project is expected to generate 25.1 MW of direct current or 22.9 MW of alternating current per year. The project’s energy output will be directly linked to the Taung Daw Gwin substation and connected to the national grid via a 69.6 km of 33-kV transmission line built by GPE.

In line with its commitment to give back to the community, the GPE team conducted an in-depth Environmental and Social Impact Assessment before construction. This enabled a good understanding of the impact on nearby communities and the environment and helped to facilitate construction in a responsible and sustainable manner.

After engaging with local community leaders to better understand the needs of the residents surrounding Taung Daw Gwin, the GPE team constructed and installed two overpasses, each measuring 20.1-metres long and 4.5 metres wide, improving socio-economic benefits to the community as an important of the project alongside in this harsh area and accessibility in the surrounding areas, during the phase of the project development.

U Zaw Win, Managing Director of GPE, said: “We are proud of the successful completion of the Taung Daw Gwin solar facility. We look forward to a sustainable energy source for the future of Myanmar.”

“As a partner in nation-building, GPE is deeply committed to infrastructure development and sustainability in Myanmar. This and other renewable energy projects we are involved in will increase the contribution of renewable energy to the national grid while advancing the country’s national electrification goals.”