Myanmar’s businesses will be left without power for five hours a night for much of this month to allow students to burn the midnight oil, a stark illustration of how energy shortages are forcing tough choices and worsening already acute economic pain.
State-owned Yangon Electricity Supply Corp. will prohibit customers from using electricity for commercial purposes between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. until March 20, according to a statement. The utility blamed the decision on the need to help students study for exams that are set to be held through mid-March.
Since a military junta seized control in 2021 and deposed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, sanctions have left buyers unable to easily access dollars for fuel purchases, and Myanmar has struggled to keep the lights on.
