Expanding access to clean energy in rural areas and contributing to the development of the green economy in Myanmar 

Access to energy is crucial for economic and social development.  In Myanmar, with long power outages throughout the year or  areas that are not yet electrified, the issue of access to energy is of particular importance. 4 million households have no access to electricity. According to the World Bank, increasing the power supply-demand gap  is the major challenge to securing reliable electricity services in the country. Working on improving the supply chain and providing tailored financial solutions are key elements for improving a situation that has significantly deteriorated since 2021. 

For GRET, energy transition requires sustainable improvement of access to reliable, affordable, environmentally respectful energy for populations living in energy poverty. 

In this context, together with its partners Geres and Thitsar Ooin, GRET is implementing a project to improve access to renewable electricity and use of energy-efficient products by MSMEs and rural households in four regions of Myanmar. The project entitled Securing Energy Needs and Transition of Rural areas in Myanmar (SENTRUM) aims to ensuring physical availability of equipment, mainly solar, through support to last-mile distributors, mini-grid infrastructure build-out and the development of sustainable financial mechanisms to ensure the affordability of energy-efficient products. In addition to supporting the distribution of energy-access solutions and energy-efficient products, the project also aims to contribute to capacity-building and to develop job opportunities in the green economy. SENTRUM is training and supporting rural people and MSMES, particularly young women and men, to practise a green or greening trade and to efficiently manage an entrepreneurial activity. 

Project Objectives

• Main objective: green rural economic developement is supported.
• Specific objective: access to renewable electricity and use of energy-efficient products by MSMEs and rural house

Key Activities and Expected Results 

1. Availability of efficient and sustainable sources of renewable electricity for economic actors and rural households is improved. 

• Produce, structure and disseminate knowledge. 
• Implement clean energy solutions for productive businesses and appropriate financing mechanisms. 
• Extend access to sustainable electricity for rural households, together with appropriate financing mechanisms. 

2. Access to energy-efficient products for rural households is strengthened, while developing business opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and craftsmen in the housing sector. 

• Expand the distribution networks for energy-efficient products. 
• Support craftsmen in the housing sector in offering energy-efficient construction services. 
• Enhance quality of energy-efficient products for rural households. 
• Provide financial mechanisms to ensure affordability. 
• Pilot an e-waste treatment and recycling scheme. 

3. Enhanced capacity of individuals and MSMEs involved in green jobs, as well as fostering business opportunities in the renewable energy and appliances sectors.

• Set-up workforce planning (jobs and skills).
• Set-up training schemes including vocational training and work-based learning with a focus on green jobs. 
• Set up sustainable training facilities (providing hard and soft support to training centres) and mobile training units. 
• Conduct awareness raising campaigns on energy efficient products.