In 2024, Myanmar's electricity consumption is primarily fueled by fossil energy, with over 60% coming from these sources. Gas represents the majority of this, accounting for more than half of the total electricity generation. The country also harnesses a significant amount of low-carbon energy, making up about 39% of the mix. The vast majority of this clean electricity comes from hydropower, which closely approached 38% of the total. Coal remains a noteworthy contributor, adding nearly 10% to the electricity mix, while biofuels provide a minimal share of just over 1%. This distribution highlights a dependence on fossil fuels, with a substantial, albeit smaller, contribution from hydropower for clean energy.
Is Electricity Growing in Myanmar (Burma)?
Electricity consumption in Myanmar, unfortunately, shows signs of decline based on recent data. As of 2024, consumption stands at 464 kWh per person, falling by 10 kWh compared to 2023's peak of 475 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a reduction from its high in 2018. The latest figures indicate low-carbon electricity amounts to 182 kWh per person, a decline of 59 kWh from the 2018 record. These drops suggest potential challenges in keeping pace with global electrification trends, which are increasingly critical for economic development and climate change mitigation.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Myanmar could benefit from the strategies employed by regions with successful energy transitions. Investing in solar energy, as evidenced by high solar capacity in countries like Lebanon and states like Nevada, could provide a robust path forward, given Myanmar's geographical potential for solar power. Additionally, learning from nuclear-heavy nations like France and Slovakia could offer strategic insights into developing a reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure, essential for long-term energy security and environmental sustainability. Wind energy also holds promise, with states like Iowa showing significant achievements, offering examples that Myanmar could tailor to suit its regional characteristics and needs.
History
Historically, the trajectory of low-carbon electricity in Myanmar has shown periods of growth interspersed with declines. In the early 2000s, hydropower consistently added about 0.3 to 0.8 TWh annually to the electricity grid, reflecting a period of gradual expansion. This positive trend continued robustly into the 2010s, particularly from 2009 to 2018, with notable yearly increases often exceeding 1 TWh, underscoring a phase of significant expansion in clean energy infrastructure. However, recent years have seen setbacks, most notably with reductions in 2019 and 2020 of 1.7 TWh each year, counterbalancing previous growth. These fluctuations underscore the critical need for a stable and sustained investment in expanding low-carbon electricity, leveraging nuclear and solar technologies to ensure steady and reliable enhancement of Myanmar's energy portfolio.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.