Energy
Charcoal plant shuttered for lacking wood license
Authorities in Kratie province shut down a charcoal manufacturing plant in Chet Borei district on Sunday for lacking the requisite documentation, but said they would allow the company to fire back up once it got its paperwork in order. ...
Khuon Narim
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/charcoal-plant-shuttered-for-lacking-wood-license-101581/
‘Policymakers still stuck in comfort zone’
As the global economy faces a challenging growth environment, developed and least developed countries are increasingly competing for export markets to spur growth, with many – like Cambodia – aiming to diversify markets as well as products. Cambodia has relied primarily on exports of ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/18178/---policymakers-still-stuck-in-comfort-zone---/
The Mekong river stories from the heart of the climate crisis interactive
The fate of 70 million people rests on what happens to the Mekong river. With world leaders meeting in Paris next week for crucial UN climate talks, John Vidal journeys down south-east Asia’s vast waterway – a place that encapsulates some of the dilemmas they ...
Russia to help Cambodia build capacity for nuclear power
Russia will help Cambodia work towards building a nuclear power plant under an agreement the two countries signed this week, said Sergei Kirienko, the head of state nuclear firm Rosatom. ...
Denis Dyomkin, Prak Chan Thul
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/26/us-cambodia-russia-nuclear-idUSKBN0TF0W220151126#WO3ht5oG1xOTeyLd.97
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/
Company accused of attempting to ‘electrocute’ villagers
Kampong Speu provincial deputy governor Vey Samnang is scratching his head over a dispute between a company that operates a cashew plantation, Ouk Khun, in his province and villagers who say it grabbed their land and then installed electricity cables to electrocute them. ...
Pav Suy
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17684/company-accused-of-attempting-to----electrocute----villagers/
Energy forum promotes renewables through regulation
A team of energy regulators from the four Lower Mekong countries and the United States began a three-day forum yesterday in the capital to try to coordinate a clean energy strategy for the region. ...
James Reddick
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17448/energy-forum-promotes-renewables-through-regulation/
Mekong dams could halve fish stocks: study
Fish stocks in the Mekong River in Cambodia and the Vietnamese Delta could be halved if 11 planned hydropower dams go ahead, according to the preliminary results of an extensive study funded by the Vietnamese government. ...
James Reddick
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17027/mekong-dams-could-halve-fish-stocks--study/
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
Cambodian PM to meet with gasoline importing companies
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen will soon meet with heads of the gasoline importing companies to discuss the gasoline price in Cambodia, according to the state news agency-AKP. Cambodia has currently eight big petroleum companies and distributors including SOKIMEX, TELA, PTT (Cambodia), CALTEX, Bright Victory ...
The Cambodia Herald News Staff
http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/cambodian-pm-to-meet-with-gasoline-importing-companies-9030
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/
High electricity bills drive Companies to go Green
Cambodian electricity is among the most expensive in the world. High government tariffs mean it can cost as much as 21 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity in the capital, and more in the provinces where the electrical grid is underdeveloped. The high prices have made ...
Jonathan Cox
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/16538/high-electricity-bills-drive-companies-to-go-green/
Fuel retailers asked to account for price mismatch
The Ministry of Commerce has called for a meeting with fuel retailers to review prices at the pump after Prime Minister Hun Sen urged them to set prices that reflect falling global oil prices, a government official said.Ken Ratha, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, ...
Sorn Sarath
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/fuel-retailers-asked-account-price-mismatch
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