Cambodia approves five renewable projects totalling 520 MW

The government of Cambodia has approved five renewable power projects totalling 520 MW, as part of an initiative to increase power supply to the Cambodian national grid and reduce CO₂ emissions. One of the five projects is a combination of the 70 MW Stung Russey Chrum Kandal hydropower project and the 100 MW Stung Veay Thmar Kambot hydropower project in the Koh Kong province (south-western Cambodia). The other four projects are solar parks, comprising a 150 MW project in Pursat province (east), an 80 MW project in the Prey Veng province (southwest), a 60 MW project in the Kampong Chhnang province (center) and a 60 MW project in the Svay Rieng province (southwest).

In December 2022, Cambodia, through its “Power Development Plan 2022-2040” (PDP), announced that the country targets 3,155 MW of solar capacity and 3,000 MW of hydropower capacity by 2040. This represents nearly an eightfold increase in solar capacity and more than a twofold increase for hydro capacity. The PDP also sets goals for 2030, with solar capacity increasing from 357 MW at the end of 2021 (around 12% of the country's capacity in 2021 and about 430 MW in 2022) to 1,000 MW and hydropower capacity rising from 1,330 MW in late 2021 (44% of the capacity) to 1,560 MW in 2030. The PDP also reiterates Cambodia’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2050.