YANGON, Sept. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The installed generating capacity of electric power of Myanmar has reached a total of 1,149 megawatts (mw) now, according to figures released by the country's Ministry of Electric Power.

¡¡¡¡Of the total, 588.300 mw were installed before the present government took power in 1988, while 560.900 mw were added in 14 years after the government assumed office.

¡¡¡¡Of the electricity produced in the country, the majority were generated by natural gas power accounting for 698.7 mw or 60.79 percent, followed by hydropower which took up 390.572 mw or 33.98 percent and the rest went to steam power.

¡¡¡¡The number of hydropower plants so far reached 42, while that of natural gas power 14 and steam three.

¡¡¡¡The government has laid down a five-year plan (2001-02 to 2005-06) to build nine hydropower plants of 5,862.4 mw in total.

¡¡¡¡It is estimated that by 2005-06 when all the targeted plants are completed, the country would have a total installed generatingcapacity of 8,981.672 mw.

¡¡¡¡Myanmar is a country seriously running short of electricity. Even Yangon-based foreign embassies and organizations cannot receive normal power supply and have frequently to depend on theirown power generators to carry out normal functions.

¡¡¡¡The electricity shortage problem of the country has much negative impact on its economic development and incoming foreign investment. Enditem

¡¡¡¡