Why is solar energy important in Cambodia?

Solar energy in Cambodia is becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s long-term energy and climate change mitigation strategy. Solar power in Cambodia currently only makes up around 7% of the country’s energy mix, significantly lagging behind hydropower and non-renewable sources.

Can solar power help Cambodia achieve national electrification goals?

Searching for alternative options, Cambodia joins a growing list of national governments who have come around to seeing solar and other distributed, emissions-free renewable energy resources as a cost-effective means of achieving national electrification, as well as national and international climate change and renewable energy, goals.

Will Cambodia increase its solar energy investment by 12%?

Rattanak said during a forum on energy in Phnom Penh in July organized by the American Chamber of Commerce. The Cambodian government has said it will increase its investments in solar energy by 12% by year-end 2020 and by 20% over the next three years, up from less than 1% at present.

How much does solar energy cost in Cambodia?

One of the promising traits of solar energy in Cambodia is its cost. The average electricity price for solar power is around USD 0.03 per kW, significantly lower than that of coal, which is USD 7.7 per kW.

Is Cambodia a good place to invest in solar energy?

Cambodia has one of the highest solar energy potentials in the region. The country plans to significantly scale up capacity in the coming decades to strengthen the energy grid and reach its net-zero emissions goals.

How many solar power plants are there in Cambodia?

Just two solar power plants are up and running in Cambodia at present, one a 10-MW plant developed by Singapore’s Sunseap and another, 60-MW facility in Kampong Speu. Cambodia consumed a total of 2,650 megawatts of electricity in 2018, an increase of about 15% compared to 2017, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.