Sihanoukville (FN), Dec. 20 – The two 350-megawatt coal-fired power units (700MW) broke ground on 18 December 2019 in Cambodia’s coastal province Sihanoukville.

The project, with the investment capital of approximately USD 1 billion, is a joint venture between a local firm Cambodia International Investment Development Group Co Ltd. and China Huadian Hong Kong Company Limited (CHDHK).

As planned, the new coal-fired power plants will finish by 2022 and start to generate power to the national grid in 2023, according to Keo Rattanak, director general of Electricité Du Cambodge.

Sihanoukville Governor Kuoch Chamreoun is optimistic with the new coal-fired plants, stating that the projects will contribute to stabilizing Cambodia’s energy sector, decrease electricity cost, and create jobs for the local people. He also took note of the legal and technical procedures that the investors have complied.

“We understand the importance of electricity. We all know that in our country at this stage, we face electricity shortages and the cost is still high. Therefore, the expansion of electricity generation will respond to the needs of our people and investors,” the governor said.

He continued, “energy is a key driver of economic growth. With cheap cost, it will attract investors and contributes to national growth, job markets, and poverty reduction.”

The governor confirmed that the project has passed through proper feasibility study and agreements from Ministry of Environment and relevant authorities and is constructed in accordance to legal and technical procedures.
=FRESH NEWS