Myanmar to restart China-backed Myitsone dam after 14-year halt

Fourteen years after environmental and community displacement concerns halted construction, Myanmar is preparing to restart the massive Myitsone hydropower project. The $3.6 billion dam, a China-backed initiative in Kachin State, is now a priority for the military government led by Min Aung Hlaing, who aims for completion within eight years.

The project's suspension in 2011 followed significant public protests against its potential environmental damage and the displacement of local communities. Now, officials indicate the restart is imminent, with an official announcement expected soon. This move follows the military chief's recent visit to China, a long-time supporter of the dam.

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It will begin shortly. An official announcement will be released. The president himself has already stated that it will be restarted.

Myanmar's struggle with an unreliable power supply, exacerbated by conflict since the 2021 military coup, drives the government's push for the Myitsone project. The dam could generate up to 6 gigawatts, more than half of the country's current demand of around 10 GW. However, the cost has escalated significantly, with estimates now potentially reaching $11.5 billion, more than triple the original figure.

Concerns linger over the project's benefits versus its negative impacts, including land loss and relocation. Furthermore, the original agreement stipulated that 90% of the electricity would be exported to China, a plan that remains unpopular in Myanmar where power shortages are common. The government is analyzing these issues to strike a balance.

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We are analysing these matters in detail, evaluating the extent of the benefits versus the negative impacts, to strike a balance.