Myanmar dam halted in 2011 faces revival

Myanmar’s military government has reignited one of the country’s most divisive projects, announcing plans to resume construction of the Myitsone Dam in Kachin State, despite fierce opposition that forced its suspension back in 2011.

At a press conference in Naypyidaw on 30 June, officials defended the hydropower scheme, insisting it would deliver electricity to local communities. The move came days after Kachin State Chief Minister Khet Aung Nan claimed that a deal with China had already been struck during Min Aung Hlaing’s recent visit to Beijing. He said the dam would be completed within eight and a half years, built with advanced technology and monitored by satellite.

The project, located at the confluence of the Mali and N’Mai rivers north of Myitkyina, was shelved by then‑President Thein Sein following nationwide protests. Critics warned of mass displacement, with more than 12,000 people forced from their homes, and condemned the original terms under which 90 per cent of the electricity was to be exported to China. Junta officials now say those terms have been revised, though no details have been disclosed.

Resistance remains strong. The Kachin Independence Army, which controls large parts of the state, continues to oppose the dam, while 49 civil society organisations earlier this year demanded its permanent cancellation. They accused the Chinese developer, State Power Investment Corporation Yunnan, of intimidating opponents.

Environmental concerns are equally pressing. A 2013 expert review warned the dam would flood an area the size of Singapore and cause severe damage to the Irrawaddy river system. Despite this, the junta insists consultations held in January showed local support for electricity access, though the findings have not been published.

Designed to generate 6,000 megawatts, the Myitsone Dam was once billed as one of China’s largest overseas hydropower ventures. Its revival now risks inflaming conflict in Kachin State and reopening a national debate that has simmered since 2011: whether Myanmar should sacrifice its rivers and communities for energy deals struck under military rule.

-2026-07-03