Of all the countries in Southeast Asia, Myanmar has the greatest energy potential, yet is also the most power-starved. Less than a third of the population in Myanmar has regular access to electricity.Â
Electricity generation, though, is a big business. Prior to Aung San Suu Kyi’s rise to power in 2015, the military regime signed many shady deals with China involving mega-hydropower dams.
While an impressive amount of electricity is expected to be generated by these projects, the people of Myanmar are unlikely to benefit—most of the generated power is slated to leave the country.
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