Energy in Myanmar

Myanmar had a total primary energy supply (TPES) of 16.57 Mtoe in 2013.[1] Electricity consumption was 8.71 TWh.[1] 65% of the primary energy supply consists of biomass energy, used almost exclusively (97%) in the residential sector.[1] Myanmar’s energy consumption per capita is one of the lowest in Southeast Asia. Contributing factors are the low income and the low electrification rate. Energy consumption is however growing rapidly, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3% from 2000 to 2007.[2]

Most of electricity (74.7%) is produced by hydroelectricity. The rest is from fossil fuels, with gas as the main fuel (20.5%) followed by coal and oil.[1]In 2011, Myanmar had an installed electricity generation capacity of about 3,344 MW, with a low electrification rate of 27%. Electrification rate is especially low in rural villages, which are mainly not connected to the power grid. Firewood is used as a primary source of energy in these areas, a contributing factor to the observed decrease in forests in the country.[3]

Myanmar has abundant energy resources, particularly hydropower and natural gas.[4] In 2013, Myanmar exported 8561 ktoe of natural gas and 144 ktoe of crude oil.[1] The country is one of the five major energy exporters in the region[4] and is the second biggest exporter of natural gas in the Asia Pacific region after Indonesia.[5] According to the World Energy Council, gas reserves are estimated at 244 Mtoe. Oil and coal play a smaller role with reserves estimated at 7 and 1 Mtoe, respectively.[6]

Hydropower resources are estimated to be about 40 GW at a capacity factor of 0.40, giving a total yearly hydropower generation capacity of about 140 TWh.[6] Installed hydropower capacity as of 2011 was 1.54 GW with a total generation of 3.9 TWh, there is therefore substantial opportunity for further growth of this energy source.[6] The Shweli 1 hydroelectric power plant, with a capacity of 600 MW, started operation in 2008. The Yeywa hydropower plant opened in 2010 with a capacity of 790 MW, the largest in the country. Several other hydropower projects are under construction or planned. Planned major hydropower plants have been designed mainly for export. The Myitsone Dam project, with a capacity of 6,000 MW, is expected to supply 100% of its electricity to China, while the Tasang Dam project with a planned capacity of 7,110 MW is planned to supply 1,500 MW to Thailand.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Myanmar". www.iea.org. International Energy Agency (IEA). Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "Interim Country Partnership Strategy: Myanmar, 2012–2014 Sector Assessment (Summary): Energy" (PDF). www.adb.org. Asian Development Bank (ADB). Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "Status for Renewable Energies in Myanmar". Asia Biomass Office. New Energy Foundation. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Overview: Uncovering the untapped energy opportunities". Myanmar Energy Investment Summit 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Gas in Myanmar". World Energy Council. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Energy Resources in Myanmar". World Energy Council. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
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