YANGON, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Electricity and Energy held a workshop in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday to promote greater use of solar energy as part of the country's electricity supply and strengthen long-term energy security, the state-owned daily The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Thursday.
Speaking at the workshop, Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Ko Ko Lwin said that reliable electricity is essential for national development and improving people's livelihoods, the report said.
He said that Myanmar's power generation still relies heavily on hydropower and natural gas, while climate change and volatile global energy prices pose growing challenges to energy security.
He said that the ministry is developing an optimal electricity generation mix based on domestic energy resources, adding that the government is encouraging both large-scale grid-connected solar power generation and the wider adoption of solar home systems by households and communities.
The workshop featured presentations by experts, panel discussions on accelerating solar energy development while maintaining the stability and reliability of Myanmar's electricity system, and interactive question-and-answer sessions, the report said.
In Myanmar, solar energy currently accounts for only about four percent of the country's total electricity generation, the official media reported. ■
