Electricity Futures in the Greater Mekong Subregion: Towards Sustainability, Inclusive Development, and Conflict Resolution

Abstract

Myanmar’s sustainable development heavily depends on the appropriate improvement of its power sector. Its transition from military rule to democracy has brought in international assistance and private investment interests, paving the way for new resources and alternatives for the government to develop its energy-related policy programmes. The government’s policy programmes have benefited from the support of international donors and cover the Energy Master Plan (Asian Development Bank), the National Electrification Plan (World Bank), and the National Electricity Master Plan (Japan International Cooperation Agency). In a rapidly changing environment, there is a need to review these programmes as they are being implemented, or they may even have to be updated before implementation. This report analyses most of the salient points in Myanmar’s policies for the power sector. The guiding research questions are: How can Myanmar’s future electricity sector be sustainable and conducive to inclusive development, and contribute to conflict resolution? What kind of policies will be able to assist such progress? These questions are examined from both the main-grid and off-grid perspectives.