PROMOTING SOLAR ENERGY IN BURMA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000080 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, OES:ACOVINGTON BANGKOK FOR REO:JWALLER PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: SENV ECON EAGR PREL BM SUBJECT: PROMOTING SOLAR ENERGY IN BURMA Ref: Rangoon 35 RANGOON 00000080 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The Burmese Government permits NGOs to promote environmental issues, but does little else to protect the environment. For the past 15 years, local NGO REAM (Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar) has educated villagers in rural areas about conservation issues, as well as promoted the use of renewable energy technology. With support from the UN and international NGOs, REAM has installed electricity-generating solar panels in more than 30 villages in Magway, Mandalay, and Irrawaddy Divisions, benefiting approximately 15,000 Burmese. In addition to installing the solar panels, REAM also focuses on local capacity building, training villagers on how to use and maintain the solar energy system and providing opportunities for income generation. End Summary. Government Views on Solar Energy -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Despite having a wealth of natural resources and diverse ecosystems, the Burmese Government does little to protect the environment (reftel). Instead, the regime depends upon local and international NGOs working in Burma to educate the people about conservation and other environmental issues, U Latt of REAM (Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar) told us. For example, the GOB often calls upon REAM, the only local NGO promoting renewable energy, to discuss renewable energy issues with the international community, U Latt continued. He noted that while the GOB itself does not promote the environment, it does not interfere with any NGO efforts on the topic. We have found that environmental programs at the American Center attract no regime scrutiny, unlike some of our other programs there. ¶3. (SBU) According to U Aung Myint, General Secretary of REAM, the Burmese Government strongly supports solar energy programs, although it does not provide funding for such projects. In the 1990s, using a grant from UNDP, the GOB initiated a nation-wide program to promote the use of solar energy. The GOB installed 46 solar panels in more than 20 townships. However, the GOB did not maintain them, and by 1997, most of the solar panels were in complete disarray. In early 2000, the GOB asked REAM to manage the solar panel project and pledged to support REAM's future projects. REAM has since repaired the solar panels, and has empowered the village residents to take an active role in the maintenance and management of the programs. Let the Sun Shine -------------- ¶4. (SBU) REAM, with assistance from JICA and the UN, has promoted the use of renewable energy throughout Burma since 1993. U Aung Myint explained that REAM officials make an average of ten presentations annually, discussing how Burmese can use hydro, wind, biomass, and solar power to generate electricity in villages. REAM does not just target university and school students, but also works with grassroots and community groups to promote the use of hydro and solar energy in villages. U Latt noted that more than 60 percent of people living in villages cannot afford electricity. These villagers are particularly interested in new, cheaper ways improve their communities. By using renewable energy technology, villages can improve their livelihoods and raise the standard of living for residents, he declared. ¶5. (SBU) U Aung Myint informed us that REAM, with grants from various international organizations, has installed solar panels in more than 30 villages in Irrawaddy, Mandalay, and Magway Divisions, generating electricity for more than 15,000 people living in the dry region of Burma. Most villages use the solar energy to operate RANGOON 00000080 002.2 OF 002 water pumps and provide potable water to residents. Additionally, the villages use the solar panels to generate income, U Latt noted. Many village residents, who use rechargeable batteries as their power sources, must travel to larger townships to recharge them and pay an average of 500 kyat ($0.40) each time. Villages with solar panels can now offer recharging services at a lower cost, generating income for the village fund. The funds that the project generates can go toward maintenance on the solar panels as well as improvements to the community itself. ¶6. (SBU) REAM's solar energy projects are more than just the installation of solar panels, U Aung Myint emphasized. Each project is carefully coordinated with the village council, and REAM provides training to locals on how to maintain and use the solar panels. By providing the villagers with the tools they need to run the project, REAM is building local capacity, U Latt declared. The projects are sustainable, and all the solar panels in the 30 villages remain in good working order. REAM plans to install additional solar panels in other needy villages, although it must secure financial grants from international organizations before it can proceed. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) NGOs working in Burma provide invaluable services to the people, who continue to suffer from the regime's economic mismanagement and neglect. We applaud REAM's dual efforts to promote the use of renewable resources while building capacity at the local level. It is not enough to provide technology to the people. By educating them and allowing them to take ownership of the project, REAM empowers the people to take charge of long-term community development, thereby reducing their dependence on the regime. We should encourage other NGOs to take a similar approach. VILLAROSA