Hun Sen says Hydropower Is the Key to Stable Electricity Prices

Cambodia’s focus on hydropower will reduce its independence on oil and ensure nationwide access to electricity at a stable price, Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a speech Saturday during the inauguration of a $47.1 million hydropower dam in Koh Kong province. … However environmental groups have said the government’s focus on hydropower is misguided, as information on the likely environmental and social impacts of dam projects is sorely lacking, particularly the consequences for the countries fisheries. … Mr. Hun Sen also said that Cambodia currently obtains more than 200 megawatts of electricity from its hydroelectric dams: 190 megawatts from the Kamchay dam in Kampot province, 18 megawatts from the Kirrirom II dam in Koh Kong and another 12 from the Kirrirom I dam in Kompong Speu province. But in the coming years, Mr. Hun Sen said, additional hydroelectric dams will produce hundreds more megawatts for domestic consumption. …

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