The Government of Myanmar has been advised to avoid coal to solve its energy shortage and opt for mid- and small-scale hydropower plants that could be built in ways that did not destroy the environment. “Myanmar needs more electricity, but the energy needs to come from clean sources,” Parami Energy Group CEO PyaeWaTun said.

An official from International Finance Corporation said power generation plants should not damage the environment and that local communities must be engaged. The problems associated with coal-fired power plants include heavy reliance on importation of coal from Indonesia and Australia. Moreover, international development banks that provide funding to develop infrastructure for energy production also refuse to fund coal-fired plants, analysts said.