Mayanmar to cut commercial power supply to allow students study at night | World News - Hindustan Times
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Mayanmar to cut commercial power supply to allow students study at night

Bloomberg |
Mar 02, 2023 10:34 AM IST

Since the military junta seized control in 2021 and deposed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, sanctions have left buyers unable to easily access dollars for fuel purchases, and Myanmar has struggled to keep the lights on.

Myanmar’s businesses will be left without power for five hours a night for much of this month to allow students to burn the midnight oil, a stark illustration of how energy shortages are forcing tough choices and worsening already acute economic pain.

To help ease the energy shortage, Myanmar’s military-led government has bought Russian fuel oil shipments but it’s unclear how much has arrived so far.(File Photo / Representational Image)
To help ease the energy shortage, Myanmar’s military-led government has bought Russian fuel oil shipments but it’s unclear how much has arrived so far.(File Photo / Representational Image)

State-owned Yangon Electricity Supply Corp. will prohibit customers from using electricity for commercial purposes between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. until March 20, according to a statement. The utility blamed the decision on the need to help students study for exams that are set to be held through mid-March.

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Also read: Myanmar junta to allow 'loyal' civilians carry licensed arms: Report

Since a military junta seized control in 2021 and deposed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, sanctions have left buyers unable to easily access dollars for fuel purchases, and Myanmar has struggled to keep the lights on. The global energy crisis last year darkened the picture further, as import prices rose, triggering shortages and blackouts in Myanmar and many other developing nations in Asia.

To help ease the energy shortage, Myanmar’s military-led government has bought Russian fuel oil shipments but it’s unclear how much has arrived so far.

Blackouts are not a new headache for Myanmar, but outages in Yangon and other cities worsened last year, lasting half the day. They’ve been more severe outside large cities though, and the decision to limit commercial use in Yangon is a rare move.

Also read: Myanmar junta extends emergency in a bid to delay elections

Myanmar’s energy sector has been weakened by the pullout of foreign firms after the coup. A subsidiary of Thai state-owned energy company PTT Pcl recently postponed a $2 billion generation project, Nikkei Asia reported, following the exit of multinationals including Chevron Corp. and TotalEnergies SA.

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