Yangon businesses say electricity use restrictions make bad situation worse 

By Admin 02 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
2 May 2023, Yangon

Business owners in the commercial capital Yangon are struggling due to restrictions on power usage set by the regime’s Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC).

The YESC issued an announcement on April 23 asking businesses and industries not to operate with power from the national grid between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily.

The restriction came as another blow to businesses already suffering from rolling blackouts.

A rice mill owner from Yangon’s Hlegu Township said businesses have to rely on diesel generators, and costs have increased correspondingly.

“We have difficulties. It is the summer paddy harvest now. Rice prices have increased because of power outages. We have to operate with diesel generators. As diesel prices are high, the operation costs have gone up,” he said.

The YESC said it would also carry out random checks on whether businesses are complying with its regulations, and would take action against violators, said a YESC official.

“They can use electricity during other times of the day. We will fine those who use electricity in contravention of our restriction,” he said.

The regime has said its electricity supply has declined because transmission towers supplying electricity from the Lawpita hydropower plant have been repeatedly attacked.

Industrialists are reportedly unhappy that the restriction does not apply to shopping centres, restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, and nightlife establishments.

“Those businesses consume a lot of electricity. But they are charged according to the rate for industrial use [which is higher than the rate for residential customers], and are excluded from the restriction. The power supply is very irregular in our area,” said a business owner from Yangon’s Yankin Township who asked for anonymity.