Local residents report that power outages in Mon State are worsening, significantly impacting daily life and local industries.
According to local residents, the electricity supply in Mon State was around 8 hours a day in November last year, but it dropped to 4 hours a day in December. By early January 2025, electricity is now only available for about 2 hours a day.
The reduction in electricity availability has made it increasingly difficult for businesses reliant on power to sustain operations. As a result, small-scale industries such as bakeries, copy services, and steel works have been forced to shut down, according to small-scale industrialists from Mawlamyine.
“Some factories have halted operations due to the lack of electricity. Other businesses are forced to operate based on the limited electricity supply. For most, it has become increasingly difficult to continue,” said an industrialist from Chaung Sone Township.
Locals report that expenses have risen as people are forced to rely on generators and solar power due to the prolonged power outages.
A local from Mawlamyine stated, “We are facing many difficulties. If we had regular electricity, we wouldn’t have to spend so much money. Due to the current situation, we are forced to rely on generators and use more gas and charcoal for cooking.”
In September 2024, the military council doubled electricity bills, citing increased production costs and the need for more investment to improve access to power.
In early 2025, nearly four years after the military coup, the military council further reduced the electricity supply in major cities, including Yangon.
On 6 January, the military council’s Ministry of Electric Power announced that due to a decrease in power production, the average daily output has been reduced to about 2,200 megawatts, which is only around 50% of the total production capacity.
As a result, the Ministry of Electric Power has also requested the public’s understanding and forgiveness for the ongoing reduction in power distribution.
According to the electricity production capacity, in January 2025, 48% of the power is allocated to Yangon Region, 17% to Mandalay Region, and 35% to the remaining regions and states, according to the statement.
Sent by IMNA