Myanmar Energy Information

Myanmar Energy Research

- Myanmar's Energy & Climate Policy Framework: Myanmar's energy policy focuses on electrification by 2030, with targets for renewables and efficiency. Gas is a key export, while sanctions impact oil and gas sectors. Nuclear cooperation with Russia is advancing.

- Myanmar's Energy Companies: Myanmar's energy sector is dominated by state-owned enterprises, with some foreign IPPs, mainly Chinese, operating in power generation. Key players include HPGE, MEPE, and several IPPs like UREC and Sembcorp. The government controls oil and gas exploration, with MOGE overseeing production and transmission. International operators have exited due to political instability, and new contracts are being awarded to local entities.

- Myanmar's Energy Supply & Demand: Myanmar has abundant energy resources, including significant hydropower and natural gas reserves. The country's energy mix is dominated by biomass, gas, and hydropower, with electricity generation primarily from gas and hydropower. Despite recent declines, energy consumption remains below ASEAN averages. Myanmar is energy-independent except for oil products, which are imported. Ongoing conflicts have disrupted power infrastructure, leading to frequent outages. The country exports power to neighbouring nations while importing some from China and Thailand.

- Myanmar's Energy Use & Price by Sector: In 2024, biomass dominated final energy consumption, with households accounting for over two-thirds. Electricity prices halved since 2020. Final energy demand fell below 18 Mtoe, with households and services consuming 70%. Industry's share halved due to economic contraction. Transport relied heavily on oil, while residential sectors saw a decline in biomass use. Government-fixed electricity tariffs decreased significantly.

- Myanmar's Issues & Prospects: Myanmar's energy sector faces challenges due to sanctions and political instability, with Chinese investors maintaining interest. Hydro remains dominant, while coal projects are stalled. Renewables, including solar and wind, are expanding, and nuclear cooperation with Russia is advancing. Transmission projects are delayed, and cross-border interconnections face hurdles. Refinery developments are underway, and gas pipeline projects are being revisited.

Myanmar Total Energy Production & Consumption

Total energy consumption has dropped by 5% in 2023 and remained stable in 2024 (21.7 Mtoe). Before, it rose rapidly from 2010 until 2019 (+5%/year on average). In 2024, consumption per capita was 0.4 toe (77% below the ASEAN average).

Biomass accounts for almost half of this consumption (48% in 2024), but its share is declining in favor of oil (26%) and gas (19%). The share of hydro remains marginal (4%). In 2018, the share of oil saw a significant rebound, rising from 22% to 33%, before falling back to 24% in 2021.

Source: Myanmar energy report

Interactive Chart Myanmar Total Energy Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Myanmar Oil Production & Consumption

Crude oil production is low and stable (0.3 Mt in 2024).

Crude oil consumption decreased by 13%/year on average between 2010 and 2019 and remained roughly stable between 2021 and 2024 (0.25 Mt in 2024).

A 771 km-long crude oil pipeline between Myanmar and China operated by Southeast Asia Crude Oil Pipeline (SEAOP, JV of CNPC and MOGE) started operations in 2017 with a capacity of 442 bbl/d. It links Ruili (China) to Rakhine, Magwe and Mandalay (Myanmar).

Source: Myanmar energy report

Interactive Chart Myanmar Crude Oil Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Interactive Chart Myanmar Refined Oil Products Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Myanmar Natural Gas Production & Consumption

Natural gas production has been declining since 2021 by 5%/year on average and stood below 16 bcm in 2024, compared to an average of 18 bcm over 2017-2022. It increased fivefold between 1998 and 2007, following the start of production at the Yadana and Yetagun gas fields (in 1998 and 2000, respectively), and further surged with the commissioning of the Shwe and Zawtika fields until a peak of 19 bcm in 2016.

Source: Myanmar energy report

Interactive Chart Myanmar Gas Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Myanmar Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Coal production has been steadily decreasing at an average rate of 9%/year since peaking at 1.9 Mt in 2019, reaching 1.1 Mt in 2024. In contrast, between 2010 and 2019, it experienced strong growth (19%/year).

Consumption reached 1.2 Mt in 2024 (+2%). It followed a tripling trend over 2010-2020, with a peak around 2Mt in 2020 followed by a significant decrease over 2020-2024 (-11/year). Most of the coal is used for power generation (75%), the rest is consumed in industry.

Graph: Coal Production & Consumption

Source: Myanmar energy report

Interactive Chart Myanmar Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Myanmar Renewable in % Electricity Production

In 2018, the MOEP (formerly the MOEE) targeted an 8% share of wind and PV in the power mix in 2021 and 12% in 2025. Ever since, the updated NDC unconditional target is a 13% share of wind and PV in 2025 and 11% in 2030 (17% in 2030 with conditions). Currently, this share amounts to 3%.

Source: Myanmar energy report

Interactive Chart Myanmar Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Myanmar GHG emissions and CO₂ emissions

In its updated NDC (2021), Myanmar set the unconditional target of reducing its cumulative GHG emissions from the energy sector over 2021-2030 by 105 MtCO2eq compared to a BAU projection of 297 MtCO2eq, corresponding to a 35% reduction in cumulative emissions by 2030; the conditional target increases this reduction to 48%. The country has also set an unconditional target to reduce deforestation by 25% in 2030 (50%, conditionally).

Source: Myanmar energy report

Interactive Chart Myanmar CO₂ emissions

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data