By Nov Vathana
Phnom Penh: The government is pushing for the construction of a new hydropower plant in Pursat province with a capacity of 80 megawatts in 2019, after completion of the study to meet the needs of electricity users, industrial, and handicraft sector and benefits to the national economy.
Victor Jona, spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said on 11 February 2019 the government is negotiating the cost of selling electricity with companies from China and Korea for between 7 cents and 8 cents per kilowatt hour.
If both sides achieved the negotiation, it can lead to the development of hydropower plants soon in 2019, and plans to use the construction period of 3 to 4 years, he said.
The further development of the Pursat hydropower plant is great importance to respond to the needs of the people in the industry, crafts and other services, and ensure domestic energy security, which will reduce importing foreign sources of electricity, he added.
The spokesman confirmed that the study of the Stung Pursat Hydropower Project could cost up to $160 million, with a power output of up to 80 megawatts, and the impact is minimal.
Suy Sem, Minister of Mines and Energy, said that in 2019, the Royal Government plans to add additional sources of electricity, develop national network to all provinces and cities and distribute distribution lines to all villages by 2020, responding to the needs of the people.
So far, Cambodia has seven hydropower plant with six in the southwestern part of Cambodia, such as the Arai, Russei Chum, Kamchay, Kiriorom 1 and Kirirom 3, and Tatai hydropower dams. Another part is the Sesan 2 Hydropower Power Plant in Steung Treng Province, northeastern Cambodia.
