IFC Providing Hydropower Knowledge to Myanmar

Officials from Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP) and its Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF) have high expectations for IFC’s Performance Standards training, which began in early December. The training events, provided by IFC with support from the Australian government, offer officials the knowledge and guidance they need to improve standards and better manage risks in the hydropower sector.

“IFC’s Performance Standards could be used as a guideline, or a checklist when reviewing environmental impact assessments,” said U Hein Htet, Deputy Director General, Department of Electric Power Planning at MOEP.

At the two-day intensive training in Nay Pyi Taw, IFC environmental and social experts introduced the Performance Standards to officials and detailed their applicability to Myanmar’s hydropower sector. Course participants raised many issues, such as assessing the environmental and social impacts for transmission lines. They also requested further training on a number of subjects, including Performance Standard 1, to improve environmental impact assessment methods.

“Many organizations have set standards, but IFC’s are popular because they are practical and in a language that’s easy to follow,” said U Sein Aung Min, Assistant Director, Environmental Conservation Department, MOECAF. “We all hope to speak IFC’s ‘Performance Standard’ language by the end of the courses.”

IFC, MOECAF, and MOEP are working together to identify other topics for further training to help officials during the environmental impact assessment review process for hydropower projects. In preparation for the drafting of sector-specific guidelines, officials demonstrated an interest in learning more about compensation and benefit sharing, security, downstream flows, and pollution prevention.

Over the next two years, IFC plans to continue capacity building within MOECAF and MOEP and support the government with the drafting of policy and guidelines for the hydropower sector.

“As Myanmar opens up to private international investment, the government should be prepared to apply good international environmental and social practices,” said Pablo Cardinale, Principal Environment Specialist for IFC. “IFC’s Performance Standard trainings can increase Myanmar officials’ understanding of best international practices and how they apply to the hydropower sector.”

For more information on courses that IFC offers on environmental and social standards in the hydropower sector, contact Kate Lazarus.