Irrawaddy-Nov 12
Myanmar’s rotating power cuts will remain in place through 2027, with generation expected to meet only 70 percent of national demand, Deputy Energy Minister Aye Kyaw announced Wednesday. Addressing the regime’s rubber-stamp parliament, he said next summer’s 24-hour electricity demand is forecast at 5,010 MW, while generation capacity is only 3,540 MW. “That’s why we need to continue the load shedding measures,” he said.
Despite having the poorest electricity access in the region, Myanmar made significant progress in grid connectivity under the National League for Democracy’s 15-year National Electrification Plan in 2015. By 2020, more than half of households had electricity access, and the NLD’s World Bank-backed plan aimed to achieve nationwide electrification by 2030. However, the plan was scrapped after the 2021 coup, and regime mismanagement has since triggered rolling power outages across the country. The World Bank says reliable supply has dropped sharply since the military takeover, affecting nearly half of connected households — with 41.6 percent receiving only enough electricity for basic lighting and phone charging, and 9.1 percent getting no electricity at all. It blames the deepening generation crisis on the suspension of LNG power plants, declining domestic gas production, hydropower stress, infrastructure damage, and stalled investment. In response, the regime reintroduced nationwide rolling blackouts, leaving residents in even major cities struggling to manage households and livelihoods. The electricity supply rotates between four hours on and four hours off. “Under the civilian government, the roads were bright with lights. Now, I have to open my eyes wide to see the way ahead while driving at night,” he commented. The deputy energy minister told citizens to install solar panels if they want a reliable supply. However, import curbs and surging prices have put solar options out of reach for most urban residents.“ Forget about solar panels, most people can’t even afford a portable power pack,” a resident of downtown Yangong’s Botahtaung Township told The Irrawaddy. “Prices have been skyrocketing because of import restrictions.”
He added that power cuts would cause major suffering during the El Niño heatwave forecast for November through January.
“I can’t imagine how we will get through next summer,” he said, reacting to the rationing announcement. “It will be especially tough for young children and the elderly.” Demand driven by outages has seen the price of solar panels surge to a record high. Yangon residents said a household solar power system now costs at least 10 million kyats (around US $4,760), putting it beyond the reach of ordinary families. Last month, Yangon City authorities mandated that all commercial projects and high-rise buildings must install solar power systems to operate elevators and emergency lighting, as part of a nationwide push for solar amid deepening power blackouts. The World Bank says chronic power shortages remain one of the main constraints on Myanmar’s economy, limiting its recovery and keeping poverty persistently high. Read more at:
