Gov’t to reduce reliance on hydro
The government will prioritise renewable energy development rather than hydroelectric power, Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) director-general Keo Rattanak has said.
Private sector insiders have hailed the decision, saying investment in solar power would make the Kingdom’s manufacturing sector more competitive due to lower prices.
Speaking at a presentation on Cambodia’s 2020 energy vision, Rattanak said Cambodia will expand its solar energy investment by 12 per cent by the end of next year and increase it up to 20 per cent over the next three years.
He said that solar power would be used to meet the increasing electricity demands in the industrial and commercial sectors.
“We want to set up solar power plants in many locations. We believe solar power will provide lower prices. As EdC’s director, I do not want to see the Mekong River as part of the hydropower generation,” he said.
Rattanak said Cambodia will produce 70MW of solar energy next year – 10MW from a solar farm in Svay Rieng province and 60MW from solar power plants in Kampong Speu province’s Oudong district.
Thou Vireak
