Can Myanmar revive the development of hydropower and LNG-to-power?

In the longer term, Myanmar can revive the development of hydropower and LNG-to-power, which were planned in the past or were under construction but did not materialize. Political and macroeconomic stability is important to improve investment climate for these options on the ground.

How can Myanmar improve its power system?

Rebuilding Myanmar’s power system will require establishing trust to develop the power sector. Developing solar PV can add incremental generating capacity in a relatively fast manner.

What is happening in Myanmar's power sector?

Myanmar’s power sector has been severely afected by the ongoing political turmoil. The power sector has been spiralling downward since 2021 with prolonged electricity blackouts throughout the country. Electricity generation has been declining, resulting in a widening power supply–demand gap.

Does Myanmar have a power supply gap?

Myanmar’s power sector will likely continue to experience significant challenges. To sustain the current level of power supply would require adding 300-500 MW every year until 2030. Scenario analysis on the power supply–demand gap illustrates that available generating capacity is projected to not meet the growing demand.

Will Myanmar experience power cuts during the dry season?

Unless gas-fired power plants are fulfilling the base load, Myanmar will likely continue to experience severe power cuts during the dry season and slightly less acute cuts in the remaining months of the year. The main diference is that dry-season cuts would afect rural and urban areas alike and have a crippling efect on economic activity.

Can power trade and imports help ease power shortages in Myanmar?

While power trade and imports could help ease the electricity supply shortages, it remains challenging under the current political circumstance in Myanmar. Myanmar’s power sector continues to record losses due to a combination of several factors, including currency depreciation, increasing grid maintenance cost, and revenue decline.