On April 18th, the Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC) issued an announcement stating that there will be daily 8-hour power outages throughout the city of Yangon.
YESC has reported a shortage of electricity, resulting in a revision of the power outage schedule. As a result the western district of Yangon which was previously subjected to a 4-hour daily power cut, will now face 8 hours of power cut per day.
In February of this year YESC began implementing part-time power cuts in Yangon in an effort to alleviate the strain on the electrical grid. However, some townships have experienced power outages for longer durations than originally announced.
According to YESC, Yangon's eastern, northern and southern districts, have been facing two power outages per day, each lasting for four hours for a while now.
YESC has established four designated time periods for power outages in Yangon; 5:00 -9:00 AM, 9:00am - 1:00 PM, 1:00 - 5:00 PM, and 5:00-9:00 PM, during which time power will be alternately be cut..
“Although the public may understand power outages occur on a rotational basis, it is imperative to ensure that electricity is supplied as per the pre-announced schedule. It is notable that our country’s natural gas and oil resources are being exported and sold overseas, at the same time we lack the capacity to produce electricity consistently in our country.
Maybe it is because of their (the authorities’) low intelligence”, a rickshaw operator from Ahlone Township said.
Many business owners are reporting significant losses and damages due to the inconsistent supply of electricity. This problem is affecting not only small-scale business, but also large industries that heavily rely on a stable source of electricity.
Power outages lasting several hours were a common occurrence in Yangon during the summer in previous years, but this year's situation is reported to be far worse according to locals.
A housewife from Hlaing Township complained, “ They (YESC) have been making multiple announcements, but in reality their actions seem to be causing more chaos than order.
Their announcements lack substance, and do not inspire confidence anymore. The electricity supply has become unpredictable and unstable, with power outages occurring frequently.
The electricity supply has become highly unreliable, with frequent disruptions every 15 minutes.
Here look! My attempt to cook a pot of rice has gone to waste.” a housewife from Hlaing Township muttered.
