The regime’s energy czar travelled to China last week to drum up investment in Myanmar’s electricity sector, as a worsening crisis left many areas of the country with just eight hours of supply per day.
Admiral Tin Aung San, who chairs the Electricity and Energy Development Commission, attended the 9th China-South Asia Exposition and the 29th China Kunming Import and Export Fair from June 17-20 in Kunming, at the invitation of Yunnan authorities.
During the trip, he met with Chinese energy firms including Union Resource and Engineering and SPIC Yunnan International Power Investment (SPICYN).
SPICYN is the developer of the controversial Myitsone Dam hydropower project in Kachin State, which was shelved in 2011 over environmental concerns. Junta media did not disclose details of the discussions.
Meanwhile, Union Resource and Engineering is backing the 1390-megawatt Mee Lin Gyaing gas-fired power plant in Pathein Township, Ayeyarwady Region. Local media report that the US$ 2.5-billion project – a joint venture between three Chinese firms and a Myanmar partner – is scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2027.
Tin Aung San held talks with SPICYN on its energy investments in Myanmar, according to junta media.
Located 32 km from the Kachin capital, Myitkyina, the Myitsone Dam project was mothballed in September 2011 under President Thein Sein’s administration following widespread public protests. It returned to the spotlight in April last year, when the regime formed a body to evaluate hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River. The body was tasked to work with SPICYN on research, technical solutions and public relations for Irrawaddy River projects.
Three months after the body was formed, junta Foreign Minister Than Swe visited SPICYN headquarters in Yunnan, where chairman Wu Zhiqun hosted a presentation on the company’s electricity projects in Myanmar.
Myanmar remains one of the ASEAN region’s least electrified countries, continuing to rely heavily on China to meet its energy needs. Myanmar has suffered regular power outages and rationing since late 2021, following the military coup in February that year. Daily supply has now been reduced to eight hours or less in many areas.
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has blamed the electricity crisis on previous governments, including the ousted National League for Democracy and Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian regime, as well as anti-regime groups. He frequently blames resistance forces for destroying infrastructure.
At a May 20 cabinet meeting, he lamented that Myitsone Dam would be generating 6,000 megawatts – boosting energy supply beyond national demand – if it had been allowed to proceed.
During his June 21 trip to Yunnan, the junta leader also pushed for a switch to solar energy, noting the high cost of importing fuel to run generators. China is also the junta’s key partner in the solar sector.
Along with hydropower, natural gas, and solar projects, China has also partnered with the junta to develop wind power plants across Rakhine State in Ann, Gwa, and Thandwe townships.
Meanwhile in Kunming, Tin Aung San also met with Wang Dongming, vice chair of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, to discuss cooperation in electricity, energy, and agriculture, as well as ongoing Chinese-backed projects in Myanmar, according to junta media.