Solar power in Myanmar

Solar power in Myanmar has the potential to generate 51,973.8 TWh/year, with an average of over 5 sun hours per day. Even though most electricity is produced from hydropower in Myanmar, the country has rich technical solar power potential that is the highest in the Greater Mekong Subregion; however, in terms of installed capacity Myanmar lags largely behind Thailand and Vietnam.[1]

Solar potential of Myanmar

The country aims to generate 8% of electricity through renewable energy sources—through wind and solar energy—by 2021 and 12% by 2025.[2] In general, foreign direct investment in renewable energy in Myanmar was very limited during the period of 2012-2018.[3]

In rural areas, photovoltaics are used for charging batteries and pumping water.[4] 70% of the Burmese population of 50 million live in rural areas.[5]

Myanmar's opened its first solar power plant in Minbu, Magway Division, in November 2018.[6] The plant will produce 40 megawatts (MW) of electricity in its first phase of operations and will produce 170 MW once fully operational.[6][7]

The country has plans to build two solar energy plants—in Myingyan and Wundwin in Mandalay Division—each to have a generation capacity of 150 MW.[2]

See also

References
  1. Vakulchuk, Roman; Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing; Edward Ziwa Naing; Indra Overland; Beni Suryadi and Sanjayan Velautham (2017). Myanmar’s Attractiveness for Investment in the Energy Sector. A Comparative International Perspective. Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) Report.
  2. "Rural areas to receive electricity powered by renewable sources: Minister". The Myanmar Times. March 3, 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  3. Stokke, Kristian; Vakulchuk, Roman and Indra Overland (2018) Myanmar: A Political Economy Analysis. Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). Report commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  4. Renewable Energy Sector Archived April 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Solar power fills in for electricity in rural areas Archived 2012-07-08 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Country's first solar power plant to start operations in Magwe". The Myanmar Times. October 15, 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  7. "Minbu solar power project commences in time for summer 2019". The Myanmar Times. November 19, 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
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