Chairman of Myanmar’s investment commission suggests alternatives for Myitsone Dam

30 January 2019
Chairman of Myanmar’s investment commission suggests alternatives for Myitsone Dam

The chairman of Myanmar’s investment commission on Tuesday suggested alternatives such as downsizing or relocating a stalled Chinese-backed dam project that has strained ties between the two countries, Reuters has reported.

Myanmar angered China in 2011 when its government suspended the $3.6 billion Myitsone hydropower dam in the country’s north amid environmental concerns.

Asked about the dam the chairman, Thaung Tun,  listed several problems, from an earthquake fault line running under the project site to a large catchment area affecting residents.

According to the report, he suggested several alternatives, including scaling back the dam, moving it to a different location, or offering the operator an alternative project.