Summer is here, and people across Myanmar are sharing electricity produced by power utilities that are struggling to meet the demand. The commercial capital of Yangon has implemented a turn-based electricity distribution system to provide equal power to all townships. Acknowledging the inconvenience caused by this, the authorities have expressed the hope that Yangonites will understand the reasons behind the power shortages.

Myanmar’s hydropower plants produce 3,800 MW of electricity, which is enough to meet demand. However, in the summer, the rivers and lakes dry up and hydropower stations produce less electricity than normal.

As on 7 January this year, the highest electric volume generated was 3,303.9 MW, but this declined to 3,078 MW on 5 May. With production declining by 255.9 MW and Yangon Region consuming 1,282 MW of the total electricity produced, summer is a hard time for everyone when it comes to enjoying 24-hour power.

Not only does Yangon consume more than half of the nation’s electric supply, the expansion in its infrastructure, businesses, and industrial zones means that this consumption is climbing gradually year by year. The authorities are working hard to fulfill the requirements through measures such as the national power grid project, and the Yangon Region government is implementing alternative electricity distribution plans.

With such high energy consumption, Yangon Region has felt the summer power cuts the strongest among all states and regions. Region/state governments need to coordinate with each other when they plan power cuts and communicate this clearly to the public. They also need to keep a separate reserve for street lamps and important locations. It is important to make the public understand the services they will be receiving.

The Union Government is working tirelessly to ensure regions already connected to electricity sources receive sufficient power, and areas with no networks receive electricity. The National Electrification Plan (NEP) aims to electrify 55 per cent of Myanmar’s households by 2021, 75 per cent by 2026, and achieve 100-per-cent electrification by 2030.

Electrification plays a key role in national development and raising the living standard of all citizens. The concerned authorities are endeavouring to explain the current situation for everyone to understand and to achieve the objectives laid down in this regard._GNLM