AFRY has announced it will end its commitment to hydropower projects in Myanmar due to the negative development with deteriorating human rights and on the back of an enhanced human rights due diligence process.
A report released by the United Nations in March 2023, Situation of human rights in Myanmar since 1 February 2022, led AFRY to re-assess its engagement in the country. The report concludes that the human rights situation has worsened during the past year and recommends that any engagement in Myanmar should undergo an enhanced human rights due diligence process.
AFRY has worked in Myanmar for over 20 years, on several hydropower projects, all aiming to accelerate the transition to a clean and stable energy system in the country, according to a release. UN global development goal seven declares that access to clean and affordable energy is key to the development of agriculture, business, communications, education, healthcare and transportation. The lack of access to energy hinders economic and human development. In Myanmar, 30% of the population still lack access to energy.
AFRY is involved in three hydropower projects in Myanmar, one being active. The contracts were signed before the military coup in February 2021, and AFRY has not signed any additional contracts after that.
According to a recent statement: “We have evaluated our presence in the country, international sanctions, the client with regards to the military regime, safety of our employees, environmental and social impact relating to the ongoing projects, and whether we are able to complete our engagement without being complicit or provide direct or indirect support of the military or other operations that violate human rights. Our conclusion is that AFRY has not contributed to any violations of human rights, we have ensured stronger safeguards for the environment through our engineering competence and the hydropower projects have contributed to a cleaner energy system. Nevertheless, AFRY’s assignments will be ended at the latest by the end of this year due to the negative development in the country, while we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
AFRY provides engineering, design, digital and advisory services in the industry, energy and infrastructure sectors.
Earlier this month, Hydro Review reported that Paraguay’s state-owned power utility Administración Nacional de Electricidad (ANDE) awarded AFRY, in consortium with Latinoconsult S.A., planning and supervision of the rehabilitation and modernization of the 200 MW Acaray hydropower plant.
