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.

Does Myanmar have a reliable electricity supply network?

This has had a significant impact on citizens and businesses, particularly in rural areas, where access to electricity is limited. According to the World Bank, only around 70% of the population in Myanmar has access to electricity. To address these challenges, Myanmar is taking steps to improve the reliability of its electricity supply network.

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.

Could Myanmar-China high voltage grid connection be scaled down?

The Myanmar-China high voltage grid connection could also be scaled down, or complemented by other connections to Laos PDR, India, or Thailand. Finally, the outcome would depend on changes made to the export share of dams, from the existing ones (Shweli-1, Dapein-1, Chipwi Nge) to planned ones like Hatgyi.

Does Myanmar import LNG?

Myanmar has not imported LNG since mid-2021. The LNG floating storage unit, which had been moored at Thilawa port since November 2020, left the country in March 2023. To maximize total daily power supply, electricity generation was ramped up from hydropower plants to compensate for lower electricity generation from gas-fired power plants.

Does Myanmar have a transmission network expansion plan?

Transmission network expansion has not made much progress since February 2021. A five hundred kilovolt (500 kV) transmission line connecting Yangon and Mandalay was planned before the military takeover. This transmission line was meant to address the botleneck in electricity transmission between upper and lower Myanmar and enhance grid capacity.