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By 2050 we can meet Myanmar’s energy demand using renewable resources such as sun, wind, water, geothermal, biomass and ocean energy.
A new report on Myanmar's Renewable Energy Vision is available to download now.
About the project
To begin a broad national discussion on what Myanmar’s energy future might look like, REAM, SPECTRUM and WWF published a comprehensive study on the country’s electricity sector development plan, known as Myanmar’s Electricity Vision, in 2016. The vision found that it was technically and economically feasible to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy in Myanmar by 2050. The benefits of renewable energy also extended to increased energy security, stability in cost outcomes, additional job creation, environmental and social benefits and would strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Since the publication of the initial Myanmar’s Electricity Vision, the global cost of solar has decreased faster than expected, and the development outlook for Myanmar has since changed and requires updating. The modelling work covered in 2021’s follow-up report promotes a high level of solar and other sustainable renewable energy sources, to highlight ambitious, but possible, cost effective solutions that meet the growing electricity needs of Myanmar and move it towards an affordable renewable energy future.
If we choose this sustainable path, we will mitigate the disastrous long-term impacts of fossil fuels and hydropower dams and mitigate an exponential growth in the country’s carbon emissions.
For their guidance and contributions, special thanks go to steering committee members: David Allan (Spectrum), Gill Pattison (New Zealand MFAT Renewable Energy Programme), Nick Cox (WWF-Myanmar), Richard Harrison (Smart Power Myanmar), and Than Htay (REAM).
Special gratitude goes to the unnamed civil society organisations that contributed to this report.
"100 per cent renewable power by 2050."WWF’s research proves that by 2050 it is technically feasible to supply everyone in Myanmar with the electricity they need, with 100 per cent of the energy coming from renewable sources. Our 2021 study shows hydropower from dams would not produce more than 9 per cent of the total electricity, thereby keeping future hydro impacts in check.
"3.2 million jobs created."In 2015, renewables were responsible for about 7.7 million jobs globally. They offer 3-4 times more job opportunities compared to fossil fuel technologies - in areas ranging from manufacturing, construction, operations and maintenance. This would bolster Myanmar’s development and support the country’s economic growth.
"75 million tons of carbon emissions per year avoided."Climate change is already happening: Across the Greater Mekong Sub-region, temperatures are rising and have risen by 0.5 to 1.5ºC in the past 50 years. While rainy seasons may reduce over parts of the region, overall rainfall is expected to rise. This means more intense rain events will occur. To avoid even more devastating consequences, scientists and over 100 countries agree that we must keep global warming below 1.5°C. To do that, global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut by at least 80 per cent globally by 2050 and even further beyond that date. The 2021 study shows grid intensity in a business-as-usual scenario reaches 0.4 t-CO2e/MWh compared to increased renewable scenarios of 0.1 t-CO2e/MWh by 2050.
Myanmar’s Renewable Energy Vision, revised Myanmar’s Electricity Vision (Note: interactions with the government ended in January 2021 and the project was paused between February and July 2021)
Myanmar’s Electricity Vision (2016)