A pilot project aiming to develop solar power in Cambodia was granted government permission last year, according to a decision issued by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

The approval stated that Global Purify Power Co., Ltd, a Thailand-based company, was granted permission to invest in a project to produce 225 megawatts or more of solar power to be distributed to businesses and factories in Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, and Takeo. Each province would recieve at least 75 megawatts.

Sok Mony, representative of GPP, said the firm plans to invest more than $400 million to build three stations equipped with solar pannels on 450 hectares of land in Takeo’s Tramkok district, Kampong Chhnang’s Sameakkie Meanchey district, and Kampong Speu’s Phnom Sruoch district.

“GPP is the first company to be given registration in Cambodia to invest in clean and renewable solar power in Cambodia,” he said.

“We are in the first phase of the project and we plan to distribute electricity to three provinces, which are in desperate need of clean and stable electricity,” Mony said.