Renewable or clean energy accounts for more than 62% of the Cambodia’s total energy consumption. This was disclosed by Cambodia Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rattanak recently at a forum.
Speaking at a forum on “Mine and Energy Policy in Cambodia”, Rattanak said,” A number of countries have recognised Cambodia for its great achievements in shifting from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy.”
Quoting an official, the local report said that the principle of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is that all member states should use 35% of energy from renewable sources by 2030.
As per data, as of 2022, the country had used more than 62% of clean energy and over 40% of the country’s clean energy comes from hydropower plants, more than 10% from solar power, and the rest from biomass power and import from neighbouring Laos.
It may be noted that Cambodia is also moving towards fulfilling its commitment to energy security through the implementation of its Power Development Masterplan 2022-2040 (PDP) and the National Energy Efficiency Plan (NEEP). But experts believe that for a smooth journey towards these objectives is possible only when the country first addresses the technical and investment hurdles.
The PDP is Cambodia’s “first long-term power plan” that provides a roadmap for the country’s energy sector. As per the government, Cambodia currently is capable of producing energy of about 4,000 MW per year, but its annual consumption is about 2,400 MW only. As part of its ambitious plans, the country is also considering exporting its energy to regional countries in the future.
