Is solar energy a good source of energy in Cambodia?

Solar energy in Cambodia is the country’s second most promising clean energy source behind hydropower. Hydropower remains Cambodia’s most developed renewable energy source but also has its own challenges – such as yearly variability due to droughts and floods.

Why are Cambodians investing in solar energy?

Cambodian households and businesses are also increasingly investing in behind-the-meter (BTM) solar energy systems as they’re much easier and faster to deploy and costs are lower than utility grid rates, market analysts highlight. Photovoltaic electricity potential in Cambodia. © 2017 The World Bank, Solar resource data: Solargis.

How much does solar energy cost in Cambodia?

One of the promising traits of solar energy in Cambodia is its cost. The average electricity price for solar power is around USD 0.03 per kW, significantly lower than that of coal, which is USD 7.7 per kW.

How many solar power plants are there in Cambodia?

Just two solar power plants are up and running in Cambodia at present, one a 10-MW plant developed by Singapore’s Sunseap and another, 60-MW facility in Kampong Speu. Cambodia consumed a total of 2,650 megawatts of electricity in 2018, an increase of about 15% compared to 2017, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

What percentage of Cambodians have electricity?

Twenty years ago, only 16.6 percent of the Cambodian population had access to electricity. As of 2019, that access had increased to 93 percent, with a large portion thanks to off-grid energy including solar home systems, solar lanterns, and rechargeable batteries.

Can solar power help Cambodia achieve national electrification goals?

Searching for alternative options, Cambodia joins a growing list of national governments who have come around to seeing solar and other distributed, emissions-free renewable energy resources as a cost-effective means of achieving national electrification, as well as national and international climate change and renewable energy, goals.