Five new solar farms to be connected to Cambodia’s national grid

Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has expedited works on five solar farms aggregating 160 MW, which are to be connected to the national grid in 2020. The projects are located in Svay Reign (20 MW), Pursat (30 MW), Kampong Speu (20 MW), Battambang (60 MW) and Banteay Meanchey (30 MW). In 2021, the government plans to set up a 60 MW solar farm in Kampong Chnang and another 60 MW solar farm in Pursat. Cambodia generates electricity predominantly from coal-fired power plants and hydropower dams, with solar energy making up less than 1 per cent of the total energy output. The country’s total power generation increased by 28 per cent from 2,635 MW in 2018 to 3,382 MW in 2019.