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Electricity in Myanmar (Burma) in 2022

Global Ranking: #136
42.2% #77 Low-carbon electricity
46.43 watts #174 Generation / person
304.87 gCO2eq/kWh #69 Carbon Intensity

In Myanmar, the current state of electricity consumption is quite imbalanced, with fossil fuels constituting a large share of electricity generation. The country produced approximately 24.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from fossil energies in 2022, with the majority coming from gas. Low-carbon sources, on the other hand, accounted for nearly 18.3 TWh, with almost the entirety coming from hydropower. When compared to the global average of electricity usage per person which stands at 410 watts, Myanmar’s electricity generation seems to be significantly low. This could result in several undesired effects such as frequent power outages, hindrance in economic growth, and limited access to electricity for rural populations.

Suggestions

Turning to other countries' experiences, Myanmar could learn much from other nations that have successfully increased their low-carbon energy generation. For example, the People's Republic of China and the United States have made significant strides in wind and nuclear power, with the former generating a staggering 964 TWh of wind energy in one year. Closer home, Vietnam has been successful with solar energy, generating 27 TWh. These cases offer clear illustrations of the potential for significant low-carbon energy expansion. Given Myanmar's hot and tropical climate and ample annual rainfall, there's an untapped potential for solar and hydropower which could be realized with suitable investments and policy prioritization.

History

Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Myanmar, a pattern can be seen. In the late 1980s, the country dipped its feet in hydropower, and since then, it has been consistently increasing its production albeit with a few minor setbacks. The growth was particularly notable in the early 2000s and through the subsequent decade. After a brief decline in 2019, the hydropower generation appears to have rebounded slightly in 2020. But in 2021, the country experienced a significant decline in hydropower generation, underlining the instability and weather-dependence of this energy source. While hydropower has been a key pillar in Myanmar's electricity generation, diversification towards other low-carbon options such as nuclear, solar, and wind can ensure a more stable and sustainable electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources

For the years 1980 to 1989 the data source is EIA.
For the years 1990 to 1999 the data source is IEA.
For the years 2000 to 2021 the data source is Ember.
For the year 2022 the data source is Ember.
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