Although the post-coup regime pledged to expand electricity distribution across Myanmar’s states and regions, including Mon State, blackouts have become increasingly severe.

U Ko Ko Lwin, the junta’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, said at a meeting in Naypyidaw on April 22 that power distribution would increase nationwide.

The ministry announced that, starting at 3:00 p.m. on April 22, daily power supply would increase to 14 hours, compared with up to 12 hours per day previously allocated to regions and states.

In reality, outages have intensified, with electricity available for only 8 to 10 hours a day in some regions.

Severe blackouts affect not only the daily lives of local communities but also small and medium-sized businesses.

Minister U Ko Ko Lwin said his ministry plans to boost supply by adding power from natural gas generators to existing generation capacity.

The ministry’s statement said that, with increased generation capacity, daily electricity supply in Yangon Region will rise from 16–18 hours to 18–20 hours, while Mandalay Region will see an increase from 14–16 hours to 16–18 hours.