PTTEP Myanmar Asset Helps Kanbauk Residents Transform Trash to Treasure

with the launch of its Waste-to-Energy CSR Program

4 Feb 2020

Yangon, Myanmar, 20 January 2020 – PTTEP Myanmar Asset announced the

launch of its first Waste-to-Energy CSR program in Myanmar today. Under the
program, PTTEP Myanmar Asset will install 31 biogas generators across Kanbauk
area this month to improve residents’ quality of life by converting organic waste
into biogas fuel[1] and liquid fertilizer that can be used for cooking and farming.
 
With each generator capable of processing 4.5 cubic meter of waste into biogas
that can be continually used for about 2-3 daily, the Waste-to-Energy program is
expected to improve waste management while reducing household expenditure for
cooking gas, charcoal and woods. Moreover, it produces organic liquid fertilizer
which can be used by farmers to improve their crop yield.
 
“Sustainable development is at the core of our business. The Waste-to-Energy
Program is a great initiative that demonstrates our commitment to not only
business growth, but also social development and environmental stewardship,”
commented Mr. Piya Sukhumpanumet, General Manager of PTTEP Myanmar
Asset.
 
“PTTEP’s existing CSR biogas projects in Thailand at Sinphuhorm and
Suphanburi have proven effective in handling waste and improving access to
energy; and we are very excited to replicate the success in Kanbauk by transferring
our learnings and technology to Myanmar today,” he added.
 
The program’s launch was the result of a feasibility study which included a study
trip to PTTEP’s existing biogas project at Suphanburi in Thailand, as well as a trip
by PTTEP’s in-house expert to assess local requirements and train its staff at
Kanbauk. A pilot project was also conducted in October 2018 at Bawdi Mhan
Aung Monastery in Kanbauk, where a biogas generator was installed as a trial.
 
PTTEP Myanmar Asset also actively engaged local residents and villagers as part
of the project to understand their needs and concerns towards waste management
and energy generation. Local residents and leaders were introduced to the waste-
to-energy approach and have since show their support for the project.
 
“Since the installation of the biogas generator at the monastery, we have been able
to save about 10,000 Kyat a month on cooking fuel and use that money for other
religious rituals activities instead. It is great that we can create something useful
out of our daily waste, while reducing the amount of trash in our area.” Sayardaw
U Nyanissara, Head Monk of BAWDI MHAN AUNG MONASTERY said.
 
Biogas is a type of clean energy produced by the breakdown of organic matter in
the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as
agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste
or food waste.