Cambodia Takes Step Towards Sustainable Development with Halt on Coal-fired Power Plants

Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, has announced the halt on the development of coal-fired power plants. Moreover, the country is now exploring options to shut down the existing power plants way ahead of their scheduled closure. Manet announced the cessation of coal-fired power plant development and a thorough examination of the possibility of shutting down existing facilities ahead of schedule. He further said that this step is being taken because the Royal Government of Cambodia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, declared at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK, that Cambodia was committed to halting the development of coal-fired power plants.

During his speech, the Prime Minister said that the construction project of a 700-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Botum Sakor District, Koh Kong Province, has already been suspended since 2nd November 2023. This step is linked with the government’s authorization to the national Ministry of Mines and Energy to engage in discussions with investment companies regarding the potential conversion of the coal-fired power plant into a low-carbon LNG project. He also gave the ministry the authority to explore the possibility of prematurely ceasing operations at existing coal-fired power plants.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of taking these steps towards sustainable development in Cambodia. He said that the global energy sector currently holds a pivotal role, with each country having the responsibility to ensure not only high-quality, stable, efficient, and affordable energy supplies but also to achieve carbon neutrality in addressing global climate change.