With an ageing electricity grid and several mega-projects under way but years from completion, Myanmar is in need of energy efficiency solutions and expertise to meet its growing power need. Schneider Electric is a global specialist in energy management and through its office in Yangon is helping individuals and organisations to streamline their operations and save energy.
In this interview, Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director for Schneider Electric’s operations in Myanmar, shares his views on alternative solutions and local projects that can support the swift industrial development the country is experiencing.
TowerXchange: Please tell us about Schneider Electric’s operations in Myanmar and how your energy management solutions can support the development of the country’s power industry.
Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director, Schneider Electric:
With quality electrical products and innovative solutions Schneider Electric (SE) contributes to the reduction of energy consumption in Myanmar. It is what we define SE’s negawatt contribution - where a megawatt is a negative megawatt of power saved by increasing efficiency or reducing consumption. It benefits the consumer by reducing the bill and benefits the society as a whole by providing the surplus of energy to be used by those in need. In addition, our solutions are safe for all stakeholders and the environment.
We have successfully implemented our products and solutions in Myanmar in a variety of sector such as government buildings, hydropower facilities, hotels, residential complex and oil and gas projects.
TowerXchange: What has been Schneider Electric’s specific experience of supporting energy solutions for cell-sites on unreliable grids or off-grid?
Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director, Schneider Electric:
We have successfully implemented off-grid solutions for base transceiver stations for telcos in Indonesia, Thailand, Greece, Spain.
TowerXchange: How extensive and reliable is Myanmar’s electricity grid?
Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director, Schneider Electric:
The Myanmar grid is generally operating over capacity, which means that it is difficult for the operator to deliver reliable power in quality and quantity. And being quite old, despite some maintenance, substantial repairs are necessary.
TowerXchange: It seems likely that time to market pressures will result in phase 1 of the tower rollout in Myanmar being focused on on-grid sites with DG backup power – does the case for renewable energy become more compelling in phase 2-3 as the rollout extends beyond the spine of the country along the Irrawaddy River?
Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director, Schneider Electric:
Yes, renewable energy solutions will be needed to cope with the needs of remote areas not connected to the grid and with no easy access for operation. Quality solar solutions are a perfect match for the specific needs of cell sites in those areas.
TowerXchange: What are the implications of Myanmar’s challenging transport infrastructure for the design or remote cell site energy solutions?
Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director, Schneider Electric:
Challenging transport infrastructure in Myanmar requires the companies to find smart solution. Local service teams can be trained to maintain solar energy solutions, such as cleaning the panels and conducting repairs.
TowerXchange: What do other energy equipment and service firms need to know about establishing local operations on the ground in Myanmar - what are the principal challenges and how did you overcome them?
Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director, Schneider Electric:
In order to succeed, equipment and service firms entering Myanmar market need to show strong long-term commitment towards the country, namely by development of partnerships with the Myanmar local partners, investment in training of human resources, and education of the customer.
TowerXchange: Finally, please sum up how you would differentiate Schneider Electric from other energy solution providers seeking to enter Myanmar?
Evelin Petkov, Strategy and Business Development Director, Schneider Electric:
Schneider Electric has already established presence in Myanmar with 95% local employees and our technical and support services are available to companies already operating or planning to enter the local market. Our Myanmar distributors are trained for Schneider Electric’s products and solutions. We have started local manufacturing of type-tested solutions for medium voltage switch gear.
In addition, we have implemented a series of CSR activities such as the Schneider Electric Lab within the Yangon Technological University, village electrification projects and vocational training for electricians. Lastly, the Go Green in the City is an international team competition funded by Schneider Electric for university students. We collect their submissions of case studies illustrating their ideas for viable energy management solutions and winners will then travel the world with Schneider Electric staff to visit various facilities, meet employees and high-level management and will be offered employment.
