Electricity for Businesses Cut Off in Rangoon

Electricity for businesses in Rangoon was cut off on Friday by the state-own Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE), partly as a result of low-water levels at hydropower generating plants.

The cut off affects private hospitals, shopping centers, small businesses and industry zones, most of which will provide their own electricity supply through the use of private generators.

Normal water level at Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda on Innlay Lake. (Source: Weekly Eleven Journal)

The MEPE is responsible for electrical generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Burma.

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday an MEPE official said,“The conditions for distributing electricity are very difficult now. We have no choice.”

Unusually high temperatures in recent weeks have exacerbated what is normally a seasonal shortage of electricity.

An employee at Asia Taw Win private clinic in Rangoon said, “For emergency operations and patients who need air conditioning we are facing many problems.”

In Rangoon and Mandalay, the country's two largest cities, electricity has been distributed under a rationing system for the past eight years, because authorities have not been able to keep up with rising demand.

Rangoon’s 5 million residents need about 450 megawatts daily, according to the local journal Weekly Eleven.

During the dry season, many households, offices and workplaces receive no more than three or four hours of electricity a day in Rangoon. Power cuts are frequent.

The water level recently at Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda on Innlay Lake. (Source: Weekly Eleven Journal)

Meanwhile, in some parts of Rangoon, MEPE has sealed power meter boxes for small businesses.

A businessman on 32nd Street in Rangoon said, “MPEP has sealed the meter box. Now we cannot use electricity.”

Many businesses and residents are experienced in using private generators to provide their electricity, but the cost of fuel is prohibitive.

In Rangoon, the power supply is usually restricted from March to June, because of a lack of rain water to power the Lawpita hydroelectric plant at full capacity. Lawpita, located 210 miles (350 kilometers) north of Rangoon, is one of the main sources of electricity for the former capital.

The water supply of the Lawpita hydroelectric plant depends on Innlay Lake in Shan State—one of the tourist attractions in Burma. High temperatures this year have severely lowered the lake's water level, said a resident of Khaungdine village, located near the lake.

“At the center of the lake, there is only a little water. We have to carry drinking water from other places. Authorities are ignoring the situation.”

The lake's water level is near a 50-year low and the famous floating market in Ywama village has nearly disappeared, according to Weekly Eleven.

Normally, in monsoon season the government can provide 24-hours of electricity in Rangoon.

Burma has one of the world’s lowest electricity generating capacities. According to statistics from the Ministry of Electric Power-2 , the country needs 1,555.25 megawatts while power plants can produce only 556 megawatts.

The Ministry of Electric Power-2 is responsible for distributing electricity, and the Ministry of Electric Power-1 manages power plants.

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