Joint release by the Burma Rivers Network (BRN), the Shwe Gas Movement (SGM) and the Ethnic Community Development Forum (ECDF).

2009 July 31
tags: world focus on Burma, Junta, Burma, Thailand, Myanmar, dams, green energy, Burma Rivers Networkby peacerunningBurma regime turns on the lights for ASEAN Energy Ministers but not for Its own People

July 29, 2009
The ministers attending the 27th ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM) today in Mandalay will enjoy unprecedented access to electricity while the rest of the country faces chronic power shortages.

Power supply in Burma’s second largest city has doubled just in time for the meeting, increasing from 5 to 10 hours per day last week while residents in the former capital of Rangoon experience daily electricity blackouts.

Electricity consumption rates per capita in Burma are less than 5% of neighboring Thailand. Yet Burma’s military regime is steaming ahead with plans to export even more energy resources to its neighbors. These include plans for over 20 large hydroelectric dams to power Thailand, China and ASEAN power grid, and trans-Burma oil and gas pipelines to China set to begin in September this year. The revenue from the energy sector is the main source of income for the Burmese generals.

It has been well documented that energy projects have caused environmental devastation and human rights abuses throughout the country.

“Increased fuel prices sparked the 2007 popular uprising in Burma and these energy export projects are making people increasingly angry. This ASEAN energy meeting will only further enrage the people of Burma. The generals are pocketing huge amounts from the projects but we are left in the dark” said Wong Aung from the Shwe Gas Movement.
“Energy projects in Burma should be for the benefit of Burmese people and not at their expense. Affected communities have the right to Free and Prior Informed Consent and should be protected through a democratically-elected government as well as international human rights and environment laws. Until then, the ASEAN ministers should refrain from investing in Burma.” said Sai Khur Hseng of the Ethnic Community Development Forum.

Exported natural gas from Burma’s controversial Yadana and Yetagun fields fuels 20% of Thailand’s electricity needs while none fuels its own households. Meanwhile Chinese companies will construct 1,800 kilometer pipelines from the Shwe Gas Project in western Burma across the country to Kunming.

The BRN, SGM and ECDF are alliance organizations monitoring Burma’s energy sector.

Contact: Wong Aung +66(0) 0873008354 (Shwe Gas Movement)
Sai Khur Hseng +66(0)84 224 3748 (Ethnic Community Development Forum)
http://www.burmariversnetwork.org