This is a recognition of our expertise, and shows that we are world leaders in the field of environmental impact assessments for hydropower projects, says Gro Dyrnes, who heads Multiconsult’s Natural Resources section.
The plan is to build Middle Yeywa power station on Myitnge River in Shan State, around 80 km east of Mandalay in Myanmar. Preliminary calculations suggest that the power station may have a nameplate capacity of 690 MW, or around 15 percent of the country’s installed capacity.
Environmental engineering solutions
SN Power is considering various possible development options for a 70 km long stretch of the river between two other hydropower projects on the same river system. The impact assessment involves assessing the various options and proposing a solution that safeguards the needs of the environment and local communities.
Our first job will be to check the quality of past environmental studies and ensure that the project can be executed responsibly and sustainably. It will be important to build on the dialogue that SN Power has had to date with the local people, says Project Manager Jens Laugen.
Extensive experience from the region
Multiconsult has extensive experience of environmental planning for hydropower projects in South-East Asia. Past projects include impact assessments for the hydropower stations Nam Theun 1, Nam Theun 2 and Theun Hinboun in Laos. For the past three years, Multiconsult has also been working for the Mekong River Commission to draw up guidelines for sustainable hydropower development within the Mekong Basin (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand).
In Myanmar, Multiconsult is also advising the Ministry of Energy in conjunction with the development of the Tha-Htay and Upper Keng Tawang hydropower stations.