In addition to these bilateral exports, many of the transmission lines proposed for development would put Lao PDR in the role of transit country. In particular, there are proposals to develop 1 000 MW to 3 000 MW of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission capacity connecting China to Viet Nam, and another 1 000 MW to 3 000 MW HVDC transmission capacity connecting China to Thailand.

Myanmar

Rich in hydropower potential, over the past ten years Myanmar has seen notable investment in new generation from both the private sector and the government itself. As of 2017, nearly 60% of total generation capacity was hydropower, while another third came from natural gas. The remaining portion came from coal and oil.

Figure 15. Myanmar’s generation mix, 2011-17

Source: ASEAN Centre for Energy.

Myanmar’s power system is primarily hydropower based, though natural gas-fired generation makes up a growing share.

Myanmar’s power market is organised as a single buyer, with state-owned Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE) responsible for both the transmission grid and procuring generation. Generation is owned by MEPE, the Hydropower Generation Enterprise and various IPPs. There are two distribution companies: Energy Supply Enterprise (ESE) and Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC). As the name suggests, YESC covers Yangon, while ESE is responsible for distribution in the rest of the country. The power sector is regulated by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.

Planned development, including cross-border integration

Myanmar’s electricity demand tends to be highest during the dry season. Looking forward, therefore, it is possible that Myanmar would be a net importer during these periods, and a potential net exporter during the rainy season. This depends significantly, however, on how Myanmar’s domestic power system develops over the coming years.

Under Myanmar’s plan, hydropower would be exported to China, Thailand or both, though it will be necessary to develop interconnectors to support these exports. Under current plans,

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