Electricity in Myanmar (Burma) in 2023

In Myanmar, the current state of electricity consumption is a balanced yet underwhelming mix between low-carbon and fossil fuel sources, based on our analytical model. For the year 2023, we utilized actual data from the first five months and projected data for the remaining months to offer insight into the overall consumption patterns. Low-carbon electricity generation, which includes hydropower, contributes more than half of the total, with hydropower alone providing approximately 9.37 TWh, complemented by other low-carbon sources amounting to 9.87 TWh in total. In contrast, fossil fuel-based generation accounts for the remaining portion, led primarily by gas and coal, producing 5.95 TWh and 2.21 TWh respectively. This places Myanmar's per capita electricity generation substantially below the global average of 3606 watts/person, highlighting challenges such as limited energy access and reliability for its population, alongside environmental concerns due to dependence on fossil fuels.

Suggestions

To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Myanmar can look to the examples set by countries excelling in clean energy solutions. For instance, the People's Republic of China and India have experienced significant success in both wind and solar energy, generating 950 TWh, 653 TWh in China, and 125 TWh, 92 TWh in India respectively. These countries demonstrate the viability of scaling up wind and solar installations, even in regions that share development challenges similar to Myanmar's. Additionally, countries like Brazil provide a road map with their efficient use of wind energy, contributing 97 TWh to their grid. Learning from these examples, Myanmar should substantially invest in solar and wind energy infrastructure, while also considering the potential role of nuclear energy, which provides substantial clean electricity in nations such as France and South Korea. Adopting policies that strengthen grid infrastructure and incentivize clean energy technology can be transformative for Myanmar's energy landscape.

History

Historically, the evolution of low-carbon electricity in Myanmar has been marked by fluctuations largely centered around hydropower. In the early 2000s, the country saw incremental growth in hydroelectric capacity, with consistent annual increases peaking at 1.3 TWh in years such as 2011 and again in 2018. However, recent years have observed setbacks, with significant declines recorded in 2019 and 2020, each reporting a drop of 1.7 TWh. The period following these decreases has shown some recovery, notably with a minor increase in 2021 but again facing a slight reduction of 0.3 TWh in 2023. Moving forward, it is critical for Myanmar to stabilize its hydroelectric output while diversifying its low-carbon portfolio to ensure sustainable and reliable electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources