Energy

Our Services in Brief

• Prepare and review of contracts and agreements
• Independent judgement on legal matters decision
• Conduct legal Research
• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Court Representation

Laws in Brief

A series of Energy laws including Electricity law in 2014 are summarized as follows:

Electricity Laws

1. Electricity Act India 1910
2. PP Act Electricity Law 1984
3. Amending the Electricity law 1990 SLORC
4. YESB Law 2005
5. Electricity Law 2013

Energy in Brief

Although the country possess abundant of energy resources, it has one of the lowest electrification rates in Asia and rural communities face large energy poverty. In September 2015, World Bank approved US$ 400 million interest-free loan for the National Electrification Project with a maturity of 38 years. Other international development institutions-including the Asian Development Bank, international donors from Germany, Japan, Norway, Italy, India and UN agencies are making significant contributions to technical and commercial assistance to government ministries as well as to encourage private sectors development.

Oil and Gas Laws

1. The Oilfields Act 1918+
2. The Water Power Act 1927
3. The Petroleum Act 1934+(Oil and petroleum products Law, renamed and still under revision)
4. The Oilfield Rules 1936+
5. The Petroleum Rules 1937+
6. The Essential Supplies and Services Act 1947+
7. The Oilfields (Labour and Welfare) Act 1951+
8. The Petroleum Resources (Development Regulation) Act 1957+(Oil Exploration, Drilling, and Production Law, renamed and still under revision)
9. The Myanmar Petroleum Concession Rules 1962+
10. The Law Amending the Petroleum Resources (Development Regulation) Act 1969+
11. The Law Amending the Oilfields Act, The State Peace and Development Council Law No. 34/2010 2010

Unlike other countries, the Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) does not need approval or ratification of the legislature. This would probably be changed by National League for Democracy party (NLD) led new government.

Other relevant laws and Rules

1. State Owned Economic Enterprise Law (SOEL), SLORC Law No. 9/89 1989
2. Myanmar Foreign Investment Law (FIL) 2012
3. Foreign Investment Rules (FIR), Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development No. 11/2013
4. Myanmar Investment Commission Notification No. 1/2013
5. Citizens Investment Law 2013
6. Environmental Conservation Law 2012+
7. Atomic Energy Law 1998 SLORC

Energy in the NLD 2015 Election Manifesto

• As underground energy resources, oil, natural gas and coal, are finite, thus it is important to consider future generations in developing energy policy.
• From existing hydropower projects, existing dams are repaired, maintained for electricity generations.
• Small private energy production enterprises will be encouraged such as Solar, Biogas, Rice-husk fuel and mini-hydropower systems
• Electricity for both urban, rural will be established.

Conclusion

The newly elected government tries to amend laws, regulations and clear procedure to encourage foreign investment in transparency and public consent.