Despite official claims of increased electricity distribution, many residents in Yangon, Mandalay, and other regions say they have yet to see real improvements, citing frequent and unpredictable power cuts.

The Ministry of Electricity and Energy recently announced plans to extend daily supply to 18–20 hours in Yangon, 16–18 hours in Mandalay, and at least 14 hours in other regions. However, locals say the situation on the ground remains inconsistent.

“We can’t predict when the power will come or go anymore,” said a resident from North Dagon Township in Yangon. “Before, with scheduled rotations, we could estimate the timing. Now, even though they say supply has increased, outages happen randomly. Last night, it was supposed to cut at 9 p.m., and it did briefly—but then came back, only to go out again in the morning when it should have been on.”

Residents also report unstable voltage even when electricity is available. “In South Dagon, outages are frequent, and when power comes, the voltage fluctuates,” another resident said. “We have to be careful with our appliances because it goes up and down.”

In Mandalay, some residents say supply has worsened. “We’re supposed to get four hours, but lately it’s not even a full four hours—sometimes just two,” one local said.

Similar complaints have emerged from Nay Pyi Taw, where residents say outages have increased and even scheduled supply times are unreliable. “Power cuts happen here too, but the bills haven’t decreased,” said a Pyinmana resident. “They publish schedules, but even at the stated times, electricity isn’t guaranteed.”

Officials acknowledge challenges in balancing supply and demand. A Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation official said the city now receives about 32.5 million units per day, up from 30 million, with efforts to extend supply between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

“We’re distributing power in phases across districts to avoid overloading the grid,” the official explained. “If everyone uses electricity at the same time—turning on air conditioners and pumps—it can cause voltage drops or force temporary shutdowns in some lines.”

He added that while some areas may experience longer supply hours, others may still face shortages during scheduled times due to grid limitations. Weekend supply is typically better as industrial demand decreases.

For small businesses, the unpredictability is taking a toll. “I had an appointment to polish a car yesterday, but the power went out halfway,” said an auto workshop owner. “The customer couldn’t wait and left early.”

Many business owners say that while past outages followed fixed schedules, the current uncertainty makes it harder to plan work and operations.