The total electric power generating capacity in the power grid system of Myanmar has reached 2,255.9 megawatts (mw) including the 1,726.8 mw added over the past 21 years, the Ministry of Electric Power-1 disclosed Friday.

The 1,726.8 mw were generated from coal, natural gas and hydropower plants constructed during the period. These plants include Hsedawgyi, Biluchaung-1, Zawgyi-1, Zawgyi-2, Zaungtu, Thaphanseik, Paunglaung, Mone, Pathi, Yenwe, Khabaung and Kengtawng.

Meanwhile, several power plants are under implementation which respectively lie in Mandalay, Magway and Bago divisions and Rakhine state as well as Chindwin river valley, the sources said.

These projects mainly include Yeywa, upper Paunglaung, Nacho, Shwegyin, Htamanthi, Pyuchaung, Kunchaung and Thahtaychaung.

Furthermore, feasibility studies are being conducted to implement such large projects as Thanlwin, Ayeyawaddy Myitsone and Tarhsan.

Among the seven Maykha-Malikha valley projects of the confluence of the Ayeyawaddy River, the 4,100-mw Myitsone project and the 2,800-mw Chibwe project commenced in December 2009 and these projects are expected to complete by 2016.

Meanwhile, the construction of Myanmar's biggest hydropower plant, Yeywa, has entered its final phase and one of its four turbines could start generating power very soon, according to official report.

The 790-megawatt (mw) Yeywa hydropower plant, which has four turbines each rated as 197.5 mw, is said to stand as one of world's largest dam of RCC type.

The Yeywa hydropower project lies on the Myitnge River, 50 kilometers southeast of Mandalay.

The hydropower plant, which costs 600 million U.S. dollars, will produce 3.55 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) annually on completion and its generating capacity represents 70 percent of about 5 billion kwh being generated by 15 power plants.

According to more feasibility studies, the country has 302 water resources that are possible to implement the hydropower projects with 46,300 mw generating capacity.

The Myanmar ministry of electric power-1 has adopted a 30-year long-term electricity development strategic plan and is implementing the hydropower projects in five-year phases.