As of 2024, electricity consumption in Myanmar reveals a significant reliance on fossil fuels, particularly gas, which accounts for just over half of the country's electricity. Coal contributes nearly 10% to the overall electricity mix. In contrast, low-carbon sources make up almost 40% of the electricity generation. Hydropower is the dominant clean energy source, contributing around 38%, while biofuels represent a mere 1% of the mix. This current distribution underscores the potential for further development in low-carbon technologies to improve the environmental footprint and resilience of Myanmar's electricity supply.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Myanmar (Burma)?
However, the overall electricity consumption in Myanmar is experiencing a slight decline. In 2024, the consumption per person is recorded at 464 kWh, a decrease from the 475 kWh per person marked in 2023. This denotes a dip of 10 kWh per person, reflecting worries about stagnating or reduced electricity usage. Additionally, the generation of low-carbon electricity per person has decreased significantly since 2018, from a previous high of 270 kWh per person to just 182 kWh. The reduction of 88 kWh per person in low-carbon production is concerning, as it suggests a need for strategic advancements and investment in sustainable energy solutions to reverse this trend.
Suggestions
To enhance Myanmar's low-carbon electricity generation, leveraging successful models from other regions is crucial. In particular, nuclear and solar energy present noteworthy opportunities. Countries like France and Slovakia generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear power, demonstrating feasibility and reliability. Solar energy has a significant presence in North Macedonia where it supplies almost half of its electricity. Myanmar could emulate these strategies by investing in solar farms and nuclear facilities, harnessing the abundant solar potential due to its geographic position, while exploring nuclear energy as a steady low-carbon alternative. By diversifying its low-carbon energy portfolio, Myanmar could achieve a more sustainable electricity supply, reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigate environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution.
History
Historically, low-carbon energy production in Myanmar has seen periods of growth, primarily driven by hydropower expansions. In the 2000s, steady increments were recorded, with notable increases in years like 2011 and 2017 when hydropower generation surged by 2.4 TWh and 2.8 TWh respectively. However, recent years have registered declines, particularly in 2019 and 2020, where reductions were significant at -3.6 TWh and -1.7 TWh respectively. These fluctuations indicate the need for consistent policies and investments to stabilize and enhance Myanmar's low-carbon energy capacities, focusing on more sustainable and diversified energy solutions such as nuclear and solar to ensure a reliable and clean electricity future.
