Locals disturbed by loud noises from LNG power plant in Kyaukphyu Twsp

By DMG 12 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
12 July 2022, Kyaukphyu

Locals in five nearby villages have complained of loud noises emanating from Hong Kong-based VPower Group’s combined-cycle power plant near Gantgawdaw Pagoda in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant, which was built to help fill an electricity shortfall, is set to generate 150 MW of electricity, but is only able to generate 60 MW of power currently.

Locals in Gonechon, Ledarpyin, Ohntaw, Ahtetpyin and Konbaung villages are troubled by the noise generated by the power plant, which is not yet operating at maximum capacity.

“Normally, the noise from the power plant seemed insignificant, but when I was sick, the noise made life very difficult for me. Local people, especially the elderly, are suffering from this noise,” said Ko Tun Saw, a resident of Ohntaw village.

In the past, there was a small amount of noise coming from the plant, but local villagers say it has gotten louder recently.

Locals suggest that the noise from the power plant will not be eliminated in the short term, and they are asking that systematic measures be taken to prevent noises at that decibel level in the long run.

“The project was not undertaken in consultation with the locals, so it is not clear what the outcome will be for the locals,” said U Phoe San, a former Arakan State lawmaker for Kyaukphyu Township. “Locals were only met when construction of the power plant was already almost completed.”

He added that locals near the plant complained of the noise and vibrations caused by the plant.

“The power plant is currently not in full swing. If this noise cannot be controlled when the power plant is fully operational, it will be very difficult for the locals to live,” the ex-legislator said.

Hong Kong-based VPower Group International Holdings Ltd won a tender in 2019 to construct a power plant before the summer of 2020. Construction of the project began in 2019 and the power plant began operations in 2021, according to Kyaukphyu District Electric Power Generation Enterprise.