Energy
Electricity production
Kampot dam tries to restore image
In the wake of mass flooding, the company behind Cambodia’s first major hydropower dam used a government visit last week to distance itself from recent controversies and quell fears about the project’s alleged downsides.In September, Kampot province experienced widespread flooding that left thousands temporarily homeless ...
Khouth Sophak Chakrya
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/kampot-dam-tries-restore-image
Kamchay dam claims not behind Kampot flood
The Chinese company that operates the hydroelectric power plant on the Kamchay River in Kampot province yesterday denied that a decision to open the dam’s gates during a recent storm was the cause of severe flooding in the area. ...
Chea Vannak
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17998/kamchay-dam-claims-not-behind-kampot-flood/
Dam fuels desperation on banks of Se San river
A hand-painted sign nailed to a tree at the entrance of Sre Ko village along the southern banks of the Se San River in Stung Treng province greets visitors with a disturbing message – one made even more alarming by the seemingly tranquil environment and ...
Chea Vannak
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17729/dam-fuels-desperation-on-banks-of-se-san-river/
Cambodia performs poorly on index for energy sustainability
Cambodia continues to struggle to adopt a balanced approach to its energy needs, according to a report released by the World Energy Council (WEC) today. ...
Anthony Jensen and Ouch Sony
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/cambodia-performs-poorly-on-index-for-energy-sustainability-99923/
Cambodian villagers demand compensation for expected impact of China-backed dam
Villagers in northern Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province on Tuesday urged the government to suspend construction of a Chinese-backed dam until they are promised compensation for flooding they say will inundate area communities, forests and farmland if the project is allowed to proceed. ...
Hang Savyouth
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/compensation-10202015164331.html
Gov’t asks Laos to keep studying pending dam
Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong asked Laos’ deputy prime minister for further study of the Don Sahong hydropower dam before construction begins during a meeting with the envoy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday. ...
Khuon Narim
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/govt-asks-laos-to-keep-studying-pending-mekong-dam-96673/
Solar power stymied by lack of support, experts say
Cambodia has a poor electrical grid, but plenty of sun—making it a perfect candidate for more solar power. But the sector remains small, particularly for rural use and farms, where it would be very useful. ...
Socheata Hean
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/solar-power-stymied-by-lack-of-support-experts-say/2974088.html
PM calls for gasoline price cuts
Prime Minister Hun Sen called for all gasoline local companies to cut their prices in line with falling world prices for oil. ...
Ven Rathavong
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/16041/pm-calls-for-gasoline-price-cuts/
New strategy lures skittish villagers to solar
The greatest barrier to bringing solar power to Cambodia’s villages is not the cost, the lack of trained engineers, or the lack of equipment, analysts say. The SNV is only funded for the next three years. Mr. Barbian said he hopes the government will be ...
Jonathan Cox
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/15862/new-strategy-lures-skittish-villagers-to-solar/
Floods wreak havoc
Residents of Kampot province continued to feel the devastating effects yesterday of widespread flooding in the area caused by the opening of the Kamchay Hydropower Dam, which has left thousands temporarily homeless and crippled local businesses.Keo Vy, spokesman of the National Committee for Disaster Management ...
Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Sor Chandara
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/floods-wreak-havoc
Flooding from dam washes out homes, rice fields in southern Cambodia
Local government officials in a southern Cambodian province failed to evacuate villagers in time to prevent their homes and rice fields from flooding after the operators of a Chinese-built hydropower dam informed them a day earlier that they would open the facility’s gates to release ...
Chandara Yang
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/flooding-from-dam-washes-out-homes-rice-fields-in-southern-cambodia-09162015162039.html
Cambodia turns to Malaysia for renewable energy boost
Cambodia and Malaysia have reached an agreement to collaborate on renewable energy and green technology, officials confirmed yesterday. ...
James Reddick
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/15751/cambodia-turns-to-malaysia-for-renewable-energy-boost/
Solar financing on the way
A program to provide credit to people to buy home solar panels is set to launch this month after three microfinance organizations agreed to sign on, said Arjen Luxwolda, managing director of solar provider Kamworks. ...
Igor Kossov
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/15590/solar-financing-on-the-way/
Local activist called in for questioning
A prominent activist in Koh Kong province who has opposed the construction of the Stung Cheay Areng dam has been summonsed to court for alleged “forest crimes”. ...
Chhay Channyda
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/local-activist-called-questioning
Laos dam project a black eye for Mekong cooperation
When the Lao national assembly last week approved a potentially destructive dam project just 2 kilometers from the border with Cambodia, the surprise announcement was yet another blow to the regional framework designed to protect the Mekong River. ...
James Reddick
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/15553/laos-dam-project-a-black-eye-for-mekong-cooperation/
Hydro dam does little for locals, study finds
Most families immediately downstream of Cambodia’s first major hydropower dam are worse off than they were before the project, according to a new study by U.K. researchers that urges the government to pay more attention to impacts on local residents as it gears up for ...
Zsombor Peter and Khuon Narim
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/hydro-dam-does-little-for-locals-study-finds-92523/
Cambodia well suited for solar, though use remains low
Cambodia has a high degree of solar radiation, making the country a good place for the renewable energy source, a report from the Asian Development Bank says. ...
Sun Sokhen
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/cambodia-well-suited-for-solar-though-use-remains-low/2927056.html
Cambodia dam’s benefits exclude people in its vicinity
The construction of the Kamchay Dam in Cambodia, though beneficial to urban areas, has not been so good for those who live close to the dam site in Kampot province, according to a study. ...
Madhukara Putty
http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/energy/news/cambodia-dam-s-benefits-exclude-people-in-its-vicinity.html
Sesan villagers reject offer, call for studies
Villagers in Stung Treng province have rejected a new compensation offer from the firm building the divisive Lower Sesan 2 hydropower dam. ...
May Titthara
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/sesan-villagers-reject-offer-call-studies
Dammed if they don’t
People who have accepted relocation from the future reservoir zone of the Lower Sesan II hydropower project have called for the suspension of the resettlement program for one year and help to repair homes built by the Cambodian-Chinese energy firm constructing the dam.Villagers who held ...
May Titthara
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/dammed-if-they-dont
ADB report says solar good fit for Kingdom
A report released this month by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) suggests that due to Cambodia’s high suitability to solar power, energy from solar panels is a viable and sustainable source of power that could lead to energy independence. ...
Alessandro Sassoon
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/adb-report-says-solar-good-fit-kingdom
Cambodia has big clean energy potential
Energy is a basic human need that must be fulfilled to achieve sustainable development. This kind of development is not possible without energy and policies to meet energy demand. ...
Heng Pheakdey
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/13540/cambodia-has-big-clean-energy-potential/
Hun Sen dismisses reports on Don Sahong dam construction
Prime Minister Hun Sen has dismissed reports that Lao PDR has commenced construction of the giant 360MW Don Sahong Hydro Dam project. ...
T. Mohan
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/13211/hun-sen-dismisses-reports-on-don-sahong-dam-construction/
EdC sends warning to staff
Following various complaints from Phnom Penh residents about surges in their electricity bills despite unaltered usage patterns and frequent blackouts, the state electricity body issued an announcement on Tuesday warning staff that they will be fired if caught recording the wrong number on electric meters. ...
Khouth Sophak Chakrya
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/edc-sends-warning-staff