Electricity in Myanmar (Burma) in 2024
In 2024, Myanmar's electricity consumption demonstrates a significant reliance on fossil fuels, with more than half of its electricity, around 61%, generated from these sources, including over half specifically from gas and about 10% from coal. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources contribute a little over 39% of the overall electricity mix, with hydropower accounting for nearly all of this green energy at 38%. Biofuels make up just 1% of the total electricity generation. This data highlights Myanmar's dependence on fossil fuels for the majority of its electricity, while low-carbon sources still play a vital role, especially hydropower in this region.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Myanmar could learn from countries that successfully harness low-carbon technologies. For instance, France and Slovakia have achieved more than two-thirds and almost two-thirds, respectively, of their electricity generation through nuclear power. These examples illustrate the potential of nuclear energy as a reliable low-carbon source. Moreover, Denmark and Ireland have excelled in generating over half and almost a third of their electricity from wind energy, suggesting that harnessing Myanmar's wind potential could diversify its clean energy profile. Embracing a combination of nuclear, solar, and wind energy could pave the way for a sustainable and environmentally friendly electric grid in Myanmar.
History
Reflecting on Myanmar's history of low-carbon electricity, the country has predominantly focused on hydropower development. In the 2000s, there were modest but consistent increases, with several years, like 2009 and 2011, seeing an uptick of over 1 TWh. Notably, the late 2010s witnessed fluctuations, including a significant reduction of almost 2 TWh in both 2019 and 2020, suggesting challenges in consistent hydropower generation, likely due to environmental factors. These variations underscore the need for Myanmar to diversify into other low-carbon energy technologies to ensure a more stable and robust green electricity supply. Exploring nuclear, wind, and solar could complement hydropower, leading to a more resilient and environmentally sustainable energy infrastructure.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.