Setting national goals from energy self-sufficiency to energy independence called for

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing urged the Ministry of Energy on 24 December to set national goals ranging from energy self-sufficiency to energy independence.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the Ruby Jubilee of the Ministry of Energy, the Centenary of the Thanlyin Oil Refinery, and the opening ceremony of the Energy Museum, which were held yesterday morning at the No 1 Oil Refinery (Thanlyin) in Thanlyin, Yangon Region. The ceremony was also attended by the Secretary of the Commission General Ye Win Oo, Union ministers, the chief minister of Yangon Region, officials, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, and the commander of the Yangon Command.

Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar stated that the Ministry of Energy, established in April 1985, has completed its 40th anniversary and celebrated its ruby jubilee, while the Thanlyin Oil Refinery, established in 1925, has reached its centenary, making this a year of pride for the ministry, which has a long record of achievements and has played a vital role through sustained efforts to meet the nation’s energy needs, the lifeblood of national development.

He recounted that although the Ministry of Energy has existed as a separate department for only 40 years, Myanmar’s petroleum industry has a much longer history dating back to the era of the ancient Myanmar kings, with historical records showing that the British began oil refining in 1871 under the name “Rangoon Oil Company”, followed by the construction of the Thanlyin Oil Refinery in 1925 using modern methods with a daily capacity of 800,000 gallons, which was later expanded in stages to produce various petroleum products before its refining operations were suspended in 2017 due to a lack of raw materials and fuel quality issues that failed to meet market demand.

He said that the Ministry of Energy has been making continuous efforts to meet the country’s fuel needs, noting that the new Thanlyin refinery, with a capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year, is expected to become operational under Phase I and that Phase II will further increase capacity to three million tonnes per year, while also developing new offshore natural gas projects and oil fields, restoring existing refineries, petrochemical plants, and fertilizer plants to full capacity, and expressing his confidence that the country’s energy sector will improve year by year through the use of modern technologies to boost production from existing oil fields, systematic oil-well drilling in cooperation with national oil entrepreneurs, and the upgrading of oil and natural gas pipeline networks.

Senior General recognized that the development of the energy sector’s infrastructure is the result of the combined efforts of all experts, professionals, and blue- and white-collar workers who have served in the ministry over the years, and the State expressed its gratitude to all employees of the relevant authorities for the progress and achievements resulting from these efforts.

He said that today, countries around the world are increasingly exploring and combining various energy sources, including oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, biomass, and hydrogen, as part of an energy mix, with plans to expand the use of renewable energy in the future, although oil and natural gas remain the primary sources to meet rapidly growing energy demand, and that Myanmar, like other nations, is working to increase renewable energy use through solar and wind power generation, promote electric vehicles to reduce fuel oil consumption, and apply advanced technologies to minimize the environmental impact of oil and natural gas fuels.

He emphasized that, for the country to systematically explore, develop, and utilize its oil and natural gas resources, investment and cooperation with friendly countries as well as local ethnic entrepreneurs are necessary, along with the consistent implementation of technology, research, and human resource development, noting that experience has shown large offshore projects with international oil companies not only meet the country’s energy needs but also generate foreign income, urging continued efforts to identify additional large projects that benefit the country and the public, and adding that the ministry is applying AI technology in oil and natural gas exploration, using 3D seismic technology, constructing new oil refineries, producing high-end fuel oil, and accelerating technological advancements, including the construction of additional fertilizer factories, which should be successfully implemented.

Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission said that relevant departments need to maintain comprehensive records of their development activities, noting that historical records serve as a reference and evidence to sustain long-term work and efforts, allowing future generations to learn about their achievements. He added that by studying the historical records, sculptures, and miniatures displayed in the Energy Museum, the public can understand the developments that have taken place over the years. He urged the officials of the ministry to continue improving and expanding the museum and to successfully implement important projects that will enhance the country’s energy security and self-sufficiency, including the upcoming new Thanlyin Oil Refinery Project.

He continued, saying that, in line with the motto of the Ministry of Energy, “Energy Security is the Benefit of the Nation”, the country can achieve energy security and implement energy efficiency programmes to ensure the continuous development of energy and the sustainable use of its valuable natural resources, to advance the interests of the nation and its people. He also wished the country continued success, from the 40th anniversary of the ministry to the centenary of the Thanlyin Oil Refinery.

After the Senior General’s speech, the Union Minister of Energy presented the Ministry’s achievements and plans, and formally presented a commemorative gift of the 40th anniversary of the Ministry of Energy and the 100th anniversary of the Thanlyin Oil Refinery to the Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission. The Acting President and members then viewed a documentary on the anniversaries. Then, a video clip featuring vocalist Haymar Nay Win singing a poem composed by Union Minister U Ko Ko Lwin to boost morale within the Ministry was played before the ceremony concluded successfully.

At the opening ceremony of the Energy Museum, the Secretary of the Commission General Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin, and Chief Minister of Yangon Region U Soe Thein cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the ceremony. The Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission inaugurated the Energy Museum’s memorial stone by pressing a button and sprinkling fragrant water on it, followed by the Secretary of the Commission and other attendees. The Acting President and members of the delegation then toured the exterior of the museum and posed for a group photo before viewing the exhibits with great interest and providing instructions based on the officials’ presentations. The ceremony concluded with the Acting President signing the Energy Museum Visitors’ Book.

The second part of the ceremony marked the 40th anniversary of the Ministry of Energy and the 100th anniversary of the Thanlyin Oil Refinery, with the Acting President and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman inaugurating the event using digital technology. Students from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and the National University of Arts and Culture, Yangon, then danced to the song “Energy to Power”.