Regime plans four-hour rotating electricity supply in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 10 Nov 2026

DMG Newsroom

10 November 2026, Kyaukphyu

The military regime, which controls Kyaukphyu in Arakan State, is conducting a census of residents interested in obtaining electricity connections as it prepares to introduce a power supply system operating in four-hour rotating shifts.

Kyaukphyu town has experienced prolonged power outages since late 2024, and the military regime is now making preparations to restore electricity.

"They [junta officials] are working to restore electricity. Ward administrators are taking a census, asking households that already have meter boxes whether they want to receive electricity or not," said a female resident of Kyaukphyu.

The generator intended for the power supply runs on natural gas and is expected to provide electricity for 12 hours a day, divided into four-hour rotating shifts.

According to reports, the electricity supply is expected to begin by the end of this year.

The generator was transported by ship to Maday Island, where Chinese-backed projects are located. It has since been installed at the site of the former VPower plant near the Shwe Natural Gas Processing Plant in Gonechwein Village.

Residents wishing to use the electricity will have to cover the costs of wiring and connection lines, either individually or collectively. Electricity rates are expected to range from K300 to K600 per unit.

A male resident of Kyaukphyu said: "Cooking fuel alone costs over K100,000 a month for firewood. Now that electricity will be available, I think it will help reduce fuel expenses."

Since 2013, electricity supply in Kyaukphyu and other parts of Arakan State has relied primarily on domestic natural gas allocated from the Shwe Natural Gas Project.

Electricity generated by gas-fired power plants in Kyaukphyu was fed into the national grid, while power was also distributed across Arakan State through high-voltage transmission lines originating from the main substation at Otshitpin Town in Bago Region.

From the Otshitpin substation, transmission lines extended to substations in Taungup, Kyaukphyu, Ann and Ponnagyun townships to supply electricity across the state. However, power lines were severed after the military regime launched its offensive to recapture towns in Arakan State.

"The main primary substation in Otshitpin Town is controlled by the military junta. If they had genuine goodwill toward the people of Arakan, they could supply electricity to all townships, not just the towns they control. Providing electricity to Kyaukphyu now is not out of goodwill, it is solely due to the influence and leverage of Chinese projects," said another female resident of Kyaukphyu.

Meanwhile, nearly half of Kyaukphyu's population has fled the town due to military arrests, livelihood hardships and security concerns.

Some observers believe the regime is compiling lists of prospective subscribers and conducting verification assessments in advance to avoid financial losses from installation costs.

Currently, fighting continues near Taung Maw Gyi Naval Station, in the Hsinbote village-tract and near Minpyin Village in Kyaukphyu Township, with the military regime frequently launching large-scale ground offensives.