Deputy Minister for Electric Power and Energy says two sites selected for small nuclear power plants in Myanmar, discussions underway with ROSATOM on plant locations

Myanmar has selected two sites for the construction of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear power plants, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts, totalling 110 megawatts, and is holding discussions with Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) on selecting suitable plant locations, Deputy Minister for Electric Power and Energy U Aye Kyaw said.

He made the remarks while responding to a question raised by Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Maung Maung Soe of Thapaung Constituency at the Pyithu Hluttaw session on November 11. The question concerned whether short- and long-term plans had been drawn up to ensure a stable 24-hour electricity supply.

Deputy Minister U Aye Kyaw said that the government was making arrangements to construct Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear power plants, which have the advantage of generating a stable electricity supply around the clock. He added that preparations would take time, as the project must comply with the guidelines and standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before construction can begin.

According to IAEA requirements, project implementation must proceed through three phases. The first phase, covering preliminary studies and the preparation of project reports, is expected to take one to three years. The second phase, involving the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks and supervisory bodies, site surveys and the preparation of contractual documents, is expected to take approximately three to seven years. The third phase, which includes signing construction contracts, preparing detailed designs and carrying out construction, generally takes seven to 10 years. He also said that IAEA review teams would conduct inspections and provide verification at every stage of the project.

At present, a preliminary feasibility study for the project has been completed in cooperation with Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM). Two first-phase SMR units, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts and a combined capacity of 110 megawatts, have been selected for construction. Discussions are underway with ROSATOM to conduct engineering surveys in accordance with IAEA guidelines to identify suitable locations for the power plants, Deputy Minister U Aye Kyaw said.

He added that if construction of the power plants can begin in the 2028-2029 FY, the project is expected to be completed before the 2035-2036 FY.

The Ministry of Electric Power and Energy will take the lead in implementing short- and long-term plans for electricity generation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology will be responsible for cooperation on nuclear technology and regulatory oversight to ensure that nuclear energy is used safely without causing harm to the public or the environment, Deputy Minister U Aye Kyaw said.