Cambodia is encouraging local and international companies to undertake projects in the country to electrify remote areas. Various companies have secured permission to do feasibility studies to develop solar power plants in the country. Cambodia has immense potential when it comes to solar energy due to long sunlight hours.
Currently, the feasibility study for a new 100 MW project is being carried out. Upon successful completion of preliminary studies, bids will be invited for the development of the plant.
According to the Rural Electrification Development Programme, the government plans to electrify all villages in the country by end-2020, and at least 70 per cent of households nationwide will be connected to the grid by the year 2030. Currently, 80 per cent and 70 per cent of the work on both projects has been completed.
The total energy consumption in the country stands about 2,000 MW per year. Of this, 60 per cent is generated from Cambodia’s six hydropower dams, while 20 per cent is imported (15 per cent from Vietnam, 4.5 per cent from Thailand and 0.5 per cent from Laos). The remaining 20 per cent energy is generated from biomass and coal-fired plants.