Cambodia’s National Assembly Approves 670 MW Clean-Energy Projects

The National Assembly (NA) gave its approval for the construction and payment guarantees of six clean-energy plants with a combined capacity of 670 megawatts (MW) in Cambodia. The projects include four solar power developments in Prey Veng, Pursat, Svay Rieng, and Kampong Chhnang provinces, along with two hydropower projects in Koh Kong province. The NA believes these ventures will stabilize the energy supply and help reduce energy prices in the country.

The approved projects are seen as instrumental in implementing government policies, advancing the economy, promoting social development, and alleviating poverty. Additionally, they are expected to provide clean electricity, decrease carbon emissions, protect the environment, and contribute to climate change efforts.

The NA session, chaired by President Heng Samrin and attended by approximately 111 members, emphasized the importance of energy security for the local manufacturing sector. Access to affordable and reliable energy is essential for keeping production costs low and maintaining competitiveness in regional and international markets.

According to the Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC), formal medium- and large-scale commercial and industrial customers consumed 5,236.46 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2022, indicating an increase in per-customer average consumption compared to 2019.

The installed power capacity in Cambodia reached 4,495MW by the end of 2022, with approximately 62 per cent of the national grid powered by clean energy sources, including hydropower, solar, and biomass. Over 1,000MW of electricity was also imported from neighboring countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos.

These clean-energy initiatives represent a significant step towards achieving sustainable energy goals in Cambodia and ensuring a more stable and greener energy future for the nation.