'1 Year 2 Months Since Military Coup' Myanmar Faces Severe Power Shortage... Capital with Leadership Experiences No Blackouts

Protesters denouncing the coup in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, hold a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi and demand her release. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] In Myanmar, where the coup military has been in power for 1 year and 2 months, the electricity situation has reportedly worsened recently.

On the 22nd, the local media outlet The Irrawaddy reported that power outages are frequent across Myanmar, including in major cities such as Yangon and Mandalay, but it is rare to find power cuts in the eight districts of Naypyidaw.

The Irrawaddy explained that this is because Naypyidaw is home to coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, other high-ranking military officials, and retired senior military personnel.

A resident living in Naypyidaw said, "In fact, there are no power outages in Naypyidaw. Even if a power outage occurs, it only lasts for a few hours." The Irrawaddy cited residents saying that in the district where General Hlaing lives, there are no power outages at all.

During peak times, electricity demand is about 3,400 MW, but recently the military government announced that electricity production is 873 MW due to reasons such as replacement of gas power plant facilities.