"...Myanmar, where the amount of natural rainforest is still high and the amount of economic activity is still low, really is one of the last countries that can be considered 'empty' in our 'full world'. But the country currently undergoes deep transition processes. These processes are not only of social, but also of economic and ecologic nature. Such changes pose opportunities and also threats to society as well as the ecosystem. Particularly energy management is an important issue: In areas where level of electricity is often below thirty percent, producing energy and improving electric infrastructure is crucial to increase the standard of living, especially in a low-income country. But do the current energy projects benefit the local people while at the same time maintaining the further existence of the surrounding ecosystem?In order to show the opportunities and threats that occur during the transition of Burma towards democracy, I will assess the impacts of energy management and electrification, namely a coal power project in the Mon State and hydropower in the Shan state, on local livelihoods. I will use the methodology of institutional and resource economics as well as the knowledge from Southeast Asian area studies to analyze, energy policies, governance structures and the social situation that play a role in recent energy projects. Finally, I will advocate the strengthening of the local civil societies to play a greater role in deciding on energy policy to avoid societal and environmental negative outcomes of energy management in this country of deep transformation..."