Cambodia’s economy continues to grow 10% per annum. With this is coupled a large electrification of rural areas as well as a booming demand in urban areas.
In the last year there was a 400MW shortage of electricity, or about 15% of all current supply, throughout the dry season. This affected many small business owners who could no longer generate revenue without power.
The power shortages are a result of the dry spell affecting the electricity production of hydro plants. Exisiting hydropower can only operate at a third of its capacity during the dry season because of lower water levels. A 2015 report by the UN predicted that Cambodia would be the ninth most vulnerable country for natural disasters, including droughts and floods, as well as other effects of climate change. Shortages are predicted to be increasingly likely in dry seasons, with no clear resolution. The effects of climate change could be devastating including a reduction in food, a 10% loss of GDP and heat extremes.
Cambodia’s energy supply currently relies on a mix of predominantly hydropower, oil and coal both from within the country and as imports. Large hydropower on the mainstream Mekong River would have devastating impacts for the people that rely on it as a source of food and income. Coal and oil contribute to climate change and devastating air pollution effects while solar, wind and biogas have no direct emissions. Electricity is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in South East Asia.
Additional resource: https://eac.gov.kh/uploads/salient_feature/english/salient_feature_2018_en.pdf
How can we provide a sufficient, stable electricity supply to grow the economy?
How can we meet all new electricity demand with clean energy? Assuming that existing hydropower and interconnectors remain to support the transition and the growth continues at 15% per annum with a starting value of 9,307MWh for 2019. For example the energy demand in 2020 would be 10,703MWh.
Assume that the current energy mix is 31% coal, 42% hydro, 4% fuel, 1% renewable and 21% imported. Refer to the attached file “Salient Features of Power Development in Kingdom of Cambodia Until December 2018” for more information.
Solutions could focus on:
A successful solution beyond the Climathon will support Cambodia’s journey towards clean energy. Whether that is providing information on planning, potential policy changes, data platforms, apps or financing.
The EU Delegation in Cambodia and Impact Hub Phnom Penh challenge you to solve climate issues in Phnom Penh and Cambodia during this one day Hackathon! The EU delegation have set you four climate challenges to solve in Sustainability, Mobility, Energy, Circularity, Emissions.
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