Project Description
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the hydropower sector in Myanmar was initiated to establish a sustainable, equitable, and broadly supported development pathway for hydropower over the next 20 years. Recognizing Myanmar’s rich but vulnerable river systems, the SEA aimed to guide hydropower development by balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and social equity. The approach emphasized integrated water, land, and ecosystem planning while addressing the urgent need to screen hydropower proposals within the broader river basin context.
Objectives, Activities and Results
The SEA sought to provide comprehensive baseline environmental and social data, engage stakeholders in setting hydropower development priorities, and evaluate pipeline projects based on their environmental and social risks. Activities included mapping key river and watershed values, assessing government policy and existing projects, and modeling future development pathways. A sustainable development pathway was framed through participatory dialogue, leading to policy and planning recommendations. Key outcomes included an environmental and social risk rating for hydropower projects, identification of river segments unsuitable for development, a shared national vision for hydropower, and enhanced stakeholder capacity for sustainable planning.
