Cambodia defends plan for Chhay Areng River hydroelectric dam development

Cambodia on Tuesday defended its plan to build the 108-megawatt Chhay Areng River hydropower plant in a jungle in southwestern Koh Kong province, saying the project would greatly contribute to developing the energy sector.

"An initial study found that the project has a capacity of 108 megawatts, but will run continuously, producing the electricity of 595 million kwh per year," Ith Praing, secretary of state of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said at a press conference. ...

Meanwhile, the official also slammed environmental organizations for exploiting residents in the area by urging them to protest against the project and they filmed or took photographs of those protesting locals in order to report to donors for money. ...

Global Post News Staff
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/140930/cambodia-defends-plan-chhay-areng-river-hydroelectric-dam-de