Myanmar moves to revive China-backed Myitsone dam despite past protests

Fourteen years after public outcry forced a halt, Myanmar’s military administration plans to restart the Myitsone hydropower scheme in Kachin State, a China-backed venture originally budgeted at $3.6 billion. The dam, slated for the confluence of the Mali and Nmai rivers, would flood an area the size of Singapore and could produce up to 6 GW, enough to meet over half of the country’s electricity needs. Discussions have involved Kachin chief minister Khet Htein Nan and other officials, with the president reportedly confirming the restart.

While the government points to new engineering methods to mitigate seismic threats, critics warn of severe environmental impact and community displacement. The project’s original terms allocated 90 % of output to China, a point of contention that may be renegotiated. Local outreach meetings have been organized to sway public opinion, yet opposition from ethnic groups and NGOs persists.