Having failed to resolve Myanmar’s worsening electricity crisis since the 2021 coup, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing on Tuesday blamed the suspension of the China-backed Myitsone hydropower project for the country’s deepening power outages.
The coup leader told a regime meeting that the Myitsone project could have generated 6,000 megawatts which, when combined with existing power plants, would have exceeded the country’s electricity demand.
In August 2023, the junta boss admitted his regime was unable to meet even 50 percent of electricity demand. He claimed there would be no power outages if suspended mega projects had been implemented – but failed to specify which projects. He named “the culprit” for the first time on Tuesday.
The China-backed Myitsone project, located near the Irrawaddy River’s source in Kachin State, was shelved by then-President Thein Sein in September 2011 amid a public outcry over the dam’s social and environmental impacts.
Today, even in Myanmar’s commercial capital, Yangon, many neighborhoods only have access to eight hours of electricity per day, supplied in two four-hour slots. In stark contrast, the country enjoyed a regular supply of electricity under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government, which was ousted by the military in 2021.
The junta chief also sought to blame People’s Defense Forces for the crisis, accusing them of targeting electricity infrastructure.
During Tuesday’s meeting, he repeated his call for a shift to solar energy, as well as construction of low-head dams.
In April last year, the regime established a body to evaluate hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River, sparking concerns that it plans to revive the controversial Myitsone Dam project.
Regime-controlled media reported that the body, led by the junta’s deputy electricity minister, is tasked with researching, developing technical solutions, and handling public relations for Irrawaddy River projects, in partnership with the Myitsone Dam’s Chinese developer, State Power Investment Corporation Yunnan International Power Investment Co. Ltd. (SPICYN), formerly China Power Investment (CPI).
One of the five tasks of the 11-member body is to aid collaboration between the regime and Beijing on hydropower projects. However, it has yet to report on its work.
Located 32 kilometers from Kachin State’s capital of Myitkyina, the US$ 7.2-billion Myitsone dam was a 20,000-megawatt project launched in 2009 under the previous military regime led by Than Shwe.
Thein Sein’s administration called a halt to construction in September 2011 following widespread public protest.
Protests were fueled by four major concerns: most of the power generated would go to China; the dam’s location near a fault line posed a flood risk from earthquakes; it would cut the flow of the Irrawaddy River, harming biodiversity and livelihoods downstream; and the project lacked transparency and public consultation before being awarded to China.
The NLD government formed a parliamentary commission to evaluate Irrawaddy River hydropower projects but declined to restart the Myitsone Dam, despite pressure from China.
Min Aung Hlaing’s mention of the China-backed Myitsone project comes as his regime falls increasingly under Beijing’s influence.
The regime has declared Chinese New Year an official public holiday, enacted the Public Security Services Law allowing China’s security forces to protect Chinese projects in Myanmar, and is increasingly reliant on Beijing for stability in northern Shan State and diplomatic support on the regional and international stages.
