Energy : Cambodia to harness wind power in Mondulkiri and Kampot provinces

Cambodia is set to harness the power of wind energy with plans for the country's first wind farms in Mondulkiri and Kampot provinces.

The information was revealed by H.E. Keo Rottanak, Minister of Mines and Energy, in a video clip posted on the ministry's social media networks on Monday.

"Cambodia will soon have wind farms, one in Mondulkiri province and the other on Bokor mountain in Kampot province," he said.

The wind energy is expected to contribute to clean and renewable energy sources for the national grid, H.E. Minister added.

Renewable or clean energy used in Cambodia accounts for more than 62 % of the country's total consumption, according to the ministry.

Renewable energy comes from sources such as wind, hydropower, solar and biomass. Most of the Southeast Asian country's renewable energy comes from Chinese-invested hydropower dams.

Potential

In a recent study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) , Cambodia has been revealed to have a technical wind energy potential of approximately 6,500 megawatts (MW). The majority of this potential is concentrated in coastal areas and highland regions, which presents a significant opportunity for wind energy development in Cambodia. This potential is equivalent to nearly three times the country’s current installed power generation capacity.

Despite this potential, the country’s wind energy market is still in its infancy, with only a few small-scale wind projects currently in operation. However, this presents a fantastic opportunity for the future. One of the main challenges facing the development of wind energy in Cambodia is the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework and supportive policies to encourage investment in the sector.

However, the Cambodian government has recently shown a growing interest in promoting renewable energy development, including wind power.

Ambitious plan

In 2019, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) announced an ambitious plan to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 20% by 2023, up from the current 6%. To achieve this target, the government has been working on developing a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for renewable energy, including feed-in tariffs, power purchase agreements, and tax incentives for investors. Furthermore, the government has been working closely with international organisations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to provide invaluable technical assistance and financing for renewable energy projects.

AKP