Chinese companies plan to build a hydropower plant and transmission network to generate

enough electricity to meet Cambodia's growing demand, which the Ministry of Mines

and Energy says has been rising 15 to 20 percent per year. On February 16, two Chinese

companies and the Cambodian government signed agreements to build a $190 million

plant in Battambang province, which Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said would generate

465 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. He said the $113 million transmission

network would connect Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat and Battambang.