The Power Development Masterplan (PDP) and National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP) were presented at the energy forum on March 16. ENERGY MINISTRY
The Ministry of Mines and Energy, with the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) support, hosted an energy forum in Phnom Penh on March 16 to present the recently-greenlit Power Development Masterplan (PDP) and National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP).
The Metro Manila-based multilateral lender provided technical assistance in the development of the PDP and NEEP, reports Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency.
“The PDP is Cambodia's first long-term plan for its power sector, comprising a broad range of scenarios for a 20-year planning period covering electricity demand growth, the expansion of power generation sources, and the development of the transmission and distribution network.
“The NEEP is Cambodia's first dedicated policy on energy efficiency and establishes the enabling framework for future developments in this area. The NEEP sets an ambitious national target for the reduction of energy consumption of at least 19 per cent by 2030 in relation to a scenario without energy efficiency,” the outlet said.
Energy minister Suy Sem underscored the importance of these instruments to power the Kingdom’s energy transition and fulfil international commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.
"Cambodia is committed to maximising the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency, which will also support the government's efforts to provide energy in a reliable, stable and affordable manner," Xinhua quoted him as saying.
ADB country director for Cambodia Jyotsana Varma hailed the Kingdom’s transition towards cleaner energy and reaffirmed the bank’s backing for the shift via policy support and investment in projects.
She said the ADB’s ongoing local projects promote the adoption of battery storage solutions and other emerging technologies, public-private partnerships centred on solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and resilience in the national grid, the outlet noted.
Minister of Environment Say Sam Al lauded the energy ministry and other stakeholders for their efforts behind the documents, which he said would support the Kingdom’s transition to a carbon-neutral and prosperous society, and boost the socio-economic conditions of the populace, according to a separate statement.
