Chinese companies Farsighted Investment Group Co and Gold Water Resources agreed with the Hydropower Implementation Department of Myanmar’s Ministry for Electric Power No 1 to develop the Upper Thanlwin river project.

The companies and the department will build the 2400MW scheme in Shan state on a JV basis.

The MoU came only days after the groundbreaking ceremony on the same river for the Tarhsan hydro project.

The Tarhsan hydro scheme is being developed on a JV basis between the Hydropower Implementation Department and MDX Group of Thailand, and is designed to have a total installed capacity of 7110MW. Annual energy output is to be more than 35.4GWh.

Construction works on the project will involve building a 876m long, 230m high concrete dam, and two 8m diameter tunnels the longest of which will be 1.2km long. Companies involved as shareholders in the project include Ratchaburi, Chkamchang and China Gezouba Group Corp (CGGC).

Late last year, Myanmar also signed a 40-year build, own, operate (BOT) agreement to develop the Ruili (‘Shweli’) River I hydro project. The deal was signed between the Hydropower Implementation Department and Yunnan Joint Power Development Co.