A 60MW solar power farm in Kampong Chhnang province was connected to the national grid last weekend, bringing the Kingdom’s total solar-power generation to 150MW, Ministry of Mines and Energy spokesman Victor Jona said on Sunday.
The project, located in Taing Krasaing commune’s Romeas village in Teuk Phos district, is developed by SchneiTec Renewable Co Ltd, a joint venture between Chinese and local partners.
There are two other operational solar power farms in the Kingdom – one in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town with a 10MW capacity, and another in Kampong Speu province powering 80MW.
Jona, the director-general of the ministry’s General Department of Energy, told The Post that the farm will further the government’s goal of developing the Kingdom’s electricity sector and reducing costs in response to increased consumption.
He said the newest farm in Kampong Chhnang province had increased Cambodia’s solar power capacity to 150MW, out of a total 410MW in solar power investment projects approved by the government.
“This is a source of green electricity, which is part of a concerted effort by the government and the relevant authorities to ensure electricity supply to all consumers and avoid any blackouts during the dry season, like in 2019,” he said.
Jona said demand for electricity is around 1,800MW on weekdays and between 1,300 and 1,400MW on Weekends.
SchneiTec Renewable has invested in two other solar power stations in Cambodia, the 80MW farm in Kampong Speu province and the 60MW farm in Pursat province which is currently under construction, he said.
Electricite du Cambodge director-general Keo Rattanak could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
However, he told local media on Saturday that the new solar power farm notably increases the proportion of renewable energy into the national grid supply, in line with the government’s policy.
The Kingdom produced 11.261GWh of electricity last year, up 21 per cent from 2018’s 9.427GWh, said ministry report said.
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