Myanmar government to raise $298.8 million through loan assistance from ADB

The Myanmar government is expected to raise $298.8 million through loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expand the country’s national grid in seven regions and states. The expansion project area covers Yangon, Ayeyarwaddy, Bago and Tanintharyi regions in Mon, Kayin and Rakhine states. This is estimated to cost $308.9 million, of which $298.9 million is expected to be sourced as an ADB loan, while the remaining $10 million is to be funded by the Myanmar government. The scope of the project includes the construction of 10 miles (16.1 km) of a transmission line in Yangon, 77 miles (124 km) of a 230 kV transmission line connecting Mawlamyaing and Ye-Dawei to supply electricity in the Tanintharyi region, and new substations in Ayeyarwaddy, Bago, Mon and Rakhine; and the expansion of 66 kV and 33 kV lines. The work on the project is expected to commence in 2019 and is likely to be completed by 2025.