Distributed Power Sources to Improve the Decent Living Standard (DLS) in the Ethnic Minority Areas of Myanmar

Masako Numata,Masahiro Sugiyama,Gento Mogi

doi:10.3390/su13063567

Abstract

Myanmar has been suffering from ethnic conflicts for approximately 70 years. The instability remains ongoing, and villagers in ceasefire areas are vulnerable. To ensure that no one is left behind, sustainable development in these areas should consider local needs. The objective of this study was to identify the living conditions required by local villagers such that they do not exacerbate conflicts. We interviewed stakeholders related to the peace process and rural electrification in Myanmar to identify the needs in conflict-affected areas. Needs were identified using the decent living standard (DLS) as the main analytical framework and energy justice as a complementary framework. The results show a strong local need for mobile phones and the importance of access to information provided by mobile phones and other dimensions of DLS, such as education and health care. For electrification options, off-grid solar products were found to be less likely to exacerbate conflicts compared to large-scale power plants. Historically, the latter has caused many issues related to energy justice.

Highlights

Myanmar has a 70-year history of ethnic conflict which remains unresolved
In terms of international development indicators, Myanmar is rated 0.584 in the Human Development Index (HDI). This means it is ranked 145th in the world, and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) it ranks second lowest after Cambodia [5]
This study demonstrates that distributed power sources may improve decent living standard (DLS) dimensions without exacerbating tensions and injustice in conflict-affected areas

Summary

Introduction

Myanmar has a 70-year history of ethnic conflict which remains unresolved. The seeds of this conflict date back to the British colonial period prior to World War II. The number of battles has not decreased despite the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with 10 ethnic armed organizations (EAOs). This represents approximately half of the total EAOs as of 2018 [3]. The central pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is “no-one left behind” [4] This statement underlines that it is important not to leave a conflict-affected area unsupported in terms of development. In terms of international development indicators, Myanmar is rated 0.584 in the Human Development Index (HDI) This means it is ranked 145th in the world, and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) it ranks second lowest after Cambodia [5]. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion