The sun sets over power pylons on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Electricity supply coverage across Cambodia has steadily expanded, especially over the past 15 years. By the end of 2024, more than 14,000 of the Kingdom’s 14,153 villages had access to the national grid.
During the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s annual review meeting in early February, Yim Piseth, Chairman of the Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC), announced that by the end of 2024, electricity supply had expanded to cover 14,048 villages, or 99.15% of the Kingdom’s total. He noted that work is ongoing to attach another 105 (0.74%) to the grid, while 15 (0.11%) remained too remote.
He explained that the remote villages included some on islands, floating and flood-prone communities and those without access to the Kingdom’s roading network.
Piseth added that, according to projections, within the next two to three years, both the national electricity grid and private service providers would expand coverage to an additional 51 villages. This would reduce the number of villages without electricity access to 69, representing just 0.49% of the nationwide total.
In terms of households, more than 3.78 million million homes had access to electricity, covering over 95% of residences nationwide.
Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak also addressed the meeting.
He noted that the seventh mandate government has continued refining its interim energy policy to guide the country toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
He explained that the policy is based on four key principles:1. Increasing clean energy, energy efficiency and energy security, 2. Maintaining affordable electricity prices aligned with production, transmission and distribution costs, 3. Enhancing stability and quality of electricity supply, and 4. Improving service provision equitably between urban and rural areas.
According to the ministry, Cambodia’s total electricity supply capacity reached 5,044 MW by the end of 2024, up from 4,649 MW in 2023.
Domestic power generation accounted for 4,372 MW. Renewable sources provided 2,672 MW, with the rest from coal and oil.
672 MW was imported from neighbouring countries, including Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Sam Soknoeun, chairman of the SAM SN Group, which is exploring the development of a special economic zone, told The Post on February 7 that electricity is a crucial factor for all business activities. Before setting up a business or factory, investors typically assess the availability of power sources.
He believed the expansion of the national electricity grid serves as a strong incentive to attract more investors to the country.
He further noted that as electricity distribution becomes more widespread, electricity prices may decrease, making Cambodia a more competitive investment destination.
“The near-complete coverage of the electricity distribution network across the country is a positive development for Cambodia in promoting investment. It enables the country to attract more direct investment for manufacturing and processing industries aimed at international markets,” he said.
“Lower electricity costs will reduce production expenses, making goods more affordable and enhancing competitiveness,” he added.
Source : The Star
