Residents and industrial zones in Yangon Region are grappling with prolonged power shortages, with electricity provided on a limited four-hour rotation system since September 28. Despite this schedule, power blackouts remain frequent, severely impacting daily activities and industrial operations.

According to a resident of Thingangyun Township, electricity is supposed to be supplied from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but frequent outages reduce the actual supply time. “Power comes at 9 a.m. but cuts off after 15 minutes. It returns around noon and goes off again at 1 p.m. The duration of outages has been increasing,” the resident said.

The power shortages have also led to water scarcity in some apartment complexes, as electricity is essential for water pumping. Many residents have turned to social organizations for water delivery, paying up to Ks 50,000 for fuel costs to run water tankers.

Industrial zones in Yangon, expected to receive power between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., face similar challenges. Residents of the Thaketa industrial zone reported that since early December, electricity supply has not met the promised four-hour daily quota. Factory owners have resorted to using generators to maintain operations, significantly increasing production costs.

The Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation (YESC) explained that the power shortages are temporary and attributed them to ongoing projects, including connecting power lines to extended transformers and constructing new power lines.