The Demand for Power Equipment Caused by the Earthquake in Myanmar

The magnitude 7.9 strong earthquake that occurred in Myanmar on March 28, 2025 has led to a demand for power equipment that presents multi-level and phased characteristics. It includes both the urgent need for emergency power supply after the disaster and the far-reaching impacts on the medium- and long-term grid repair and energy structure transformation. The following analysis is carried out in combination with the earthquake damage situation, the existing shortcomings of the power infrastructure, and the reconstruction dynamics:

 I. Surge in Demand for Emergency Power Supply Equipment

1. **Mobile Generators and Backup Power Supplies**

The earthquake has caused a complete power outage in core cities such as Naypyidaw, the capital, and Mandalay. In places like Yangon, the power supply is only available for 4-5 hours a day. Factories, shopping malls, and residents generally rely on diesel generators for emergency use. According to United Nations data, at least 5,000 mobile generators with a capacity of 30-500 kilowatts need to be urgently allocated in the disaster-stricken areas of Myanmar to meet the power supply needs of medical rescue, temporary resettlement sites, and key infrastructure. Chinese companies such as Kstar's portable energy storage devices already account for 19% of the market share in Myanmar, and there has been a significant increase in orders after the earthquake.

2. **Photovoltaic Emergency Systems**

In some unconnected areas (such as rural areas) in the disaster-stricken areas, due to the paralysis of the traditional power grid, the demand for distributed photovoltaic systems has increased. The photovoltaic project cluster (with a total installed capacity of 160 megawatts) in central Myanmar of PowerChina quickly resumed power transmission after the earthquake, verifying the seismic resistance potential of photovoltaic equipment. International organizations are promoting emergency solutions such as "tent photovoltaics," using 1-5 kilowatt-level photovoltaic panels + energy storage batteries to supply power to temporary shelters.

 II. Demand for Grid Repair and Upgrading

1. **Reconstruction of Transmission Lines and Substations**

Large areas of the 230-kilovolt transmission lines in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, etc. have been damaged, and the Naypyidaw substation has completely collapsed. The Myanmar National Grid plans to invest about 2 billion US dollars to repair 132 kilometers of transmission lines and upgrade them to the 500-kilovolt standard to enhance grid stability. TBEA Co., Ltd. of China has won the bid for a grid renovation project worth 820 million yuan, and its plateau-type transformers can be adapted to the mountainous terrain of Myanmar.

2. **Upgrading of Seismic Equipment**

The original seismic standards for buildings in Myanmar are lagging behind. The design of power facilities can only withstand an earthquake of magnitude 6, while the intensity of this earthquake reached magnitude 9. The reconstruction requires the full adoption of seismic equipment that complies with international standards (such as IEC 62271-200), including:

   - **Transformers**: Oil-immersed transformers with anti-sway design (such as TBEA's 220kV-class products);

   - **Switchgear**: Gas-insulated switches (GIS) replace traditional air-insulated equipment;

   - **Transmission Towers**: Use Q345B steel and buckling-restrained brace technology to enhance structural toughness.

III. Acceleration of Energy Structure Transformation

1. **Expansion of Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems**

The Myanmar government plans to increase the proportion of new energy to 39% by 2030 and has accelerated the promotion of photovoltaic projects after the earthquake. The 1-gigawatt photovoltaic base in Meiktila, Mandalay, signed by China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd., will become the largest single project in Southeast Asia and requires a supporting 200-megawatt-hour energy storage system to smooth out grid fluctuations. In addition, the demand for household photovoltaics (such as 5-10 kilowatt systems) in rural areas has surged, and Chinese companies are filling the power gap through the "photovoltaic + energy storage + microgrid" model.

2. **Repair and New Construction of Hydropower Projects**

The first-level hydropower station on the Ruili River (with an installed capacity of 600 megawatts) of Huaneng Hydropower quickly resumed power supply after the earthquake and became a stable power source in the disaster area. Myanmar plans to restart the suspended Myitsone Hydropower Station (designed with an installed capacity of 6,000 megawatts) and build 5-10 small and medium-sized hydropower stations, and needs to purchase Francis turbine units, governors, and intelligent monitoring systems.

 IV. Challenges in Supply Chain and International Cooperation

1. **Dependence on Equipment Imports and Capacity Bottlenecks**

Myanmar's local power equipment manufacturing capacity is weak, and 80% of transformers and cables rely on imports. The earthquake has caused logistics disruptions at the Port of Yangon. Chinese companies have urgently transported equipment through the China-Myanmar land transportation special line (such as Rongxiang International Logistics), and the transportation time has been shortened to 3 days.

2. **International Aid and Funding Gap**

China has provided 100 million yuan in humanitarian aid, including equipment such as solar streetlights and mobile generators. However, the funding gap for Myanmar's energy transformation reaches 97.3 billion US dollars. After the United States withdrew from the JETP mechanism, China has filled the gap through the Green Investment and Financing Mechanism (GIFP) of the Belt and Road Initiative and promoted Chinese enterprises to participate in power station construction in the BOT mode.

 V. Long-term Technical Upgrading Directions

1. **Smart Grid and Digitalization**

Myanmar plans to introduce fault location systems (FDR), smart meters, and drone inspection technologies to enhance the self-healing ability of the grid. PowerChina has piloted a "digital twin grid" in Mandalay and predicts equipment failures through AI algorithms.

2. **Innovation in Seismic and Disaster Resistance Technologies**

In response to Myanmar's earthquake-prone environment, enterprises have developed:

   - **Seismic Transformers**: Using three-dimensional shock absorbers, they can withstand earthquakes of magnitude 7.5;

   - **Anti-collapse Substations**: With a modular design, they can be quickly reconstructed within 72 hours after an earthquake;

   - **Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)**: Integrate photovoltaic panels into the roof to enhance structural stability.

 Summary: Demand Scale and Market Opportunities

- **Short-term (within 1 year)**: The demand for emergency generators, photovoltaic modules, and energy storage devices exceeds 500 million US dollars, and Chinese enterprises account for more than 60% of the market share;

- **Medium-term (2-5 years)**: Grid repair and photovoltaic power station construction drive the demand for equipment of about 3 billion US dollars, and leading enterprises such as Wan控 Electric Co., Ltd. and PowerChina dominate the market;

- **Long-term (5-10 years)**: Energy transformation promotes the demand for wind power, energy storage, and smart grid equipment. It is expected that the market size will reach 10 billion US dollars, and Chinese enterprises will continue to lead the way with their technological and cost advantages.

This earthquake not only exposes the vulnerability of Myanmar's power infrastructure but also provides Chinese power equipment enterprises with a strategic opportunity to participate in overseas reconstruction and promote the export of technical standards.