Baluchaung BHP (1) is a 28 MW hydro power plant in Kayah, Myanmar. It is operated by Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE). Based on reported annual generation of 200 GWh, it can supply roughly 57k homes. It ranks #63 of 69 Myanmar power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1992, it is around 34 years old — long-established. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 46.1% of Myanmar's electricity; the national grid averages 503 gCO₂/kWh (47.9% low-carbon) (2024).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1061350.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Capacity provenance
The public capacity above is the current source-record value. A 2026 tracker candidate lists 168 MW for Baluchung 2 hydroelectric plant, but it is not used as the public primary value until scope is verified (unit vs operating vs installed/project total).
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000602514; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 28 MW, Baluchaung BHP (1) is below the median hydro plant in Myanmar (60 MW). Hydropower converts the energy of falling or flowing water into electricity; output depends on rainfall and reservoir level, and large dams also provide grid balancing and storage.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 82%, from 200 GWh of reported generation; the median for 18 hydro plants in Myanmar that report generation is 50%
- Share of Myanmar hydro capacity
- 1.0% of 2,725 MW across 20 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 3 of 20 dated hydro plants in Myanmar are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest hydro plants in Myanmar
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE).
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 19.6°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
This site has effectively no heating season (tropical/equatorial climate), so winter heat loss is not the driver here. The thermal concern shifts to year-round process heat and humidity/heat-driven corrosion of hot equipment.
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), with humidity / wetness the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #15 largest hydro power plant of 20 in Myanmar by capacity.
Myanmar has 20 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 2,725 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Baluchaung BHP (2) · Hydro · 168 MW · Kayah
- Khabaung · Hydro · 30 MW · Bago
- Bukit Asam minemouth power station · Coal · 600 MW · Kayin State
- Paunglaung · Hydro · 280 MW · Mandalay
- Shwegyin · Hydro · 75.2 MW · Mandalay
- Tigyit · Coal · 120 MW · Shan
Location
Coordinates 19.57, 97.316 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Baluchaung BHP (1)?
Baluchaung BHP (1) is a 28 MW hydro power plant in Kayah, Myanmar, commissioned in 1992.
How much electricity does Baluchaung BHP (1) generate?
Baluchaung BHP (1) generates about 200 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Baluchaung BHP (1)?
Baluchaung BHP (1) is operated by Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE).