Cambodia not to allow construction of new coal-fired power plants: PM

KOH KONG, Cambodia, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Thursday that the Southeast Asian country would no longer allow the construction of new coal-fired power plants.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for the 150-megawatt Upper Tatay Hydropower Station in the southwestern province of Koh Kong, the prime minister said the Cambodian government is also examining possibilities to end the operation of existing coal-fired power plants before the end of their contract periods.

“I would like to announce that if anyone wants to invest in coal-fired power plant projects in Cambodia, please don’t come because it’s a waste of money for air tickets,” he said. “We don’t allow the development of new coal-fired power plants anymore.”

Hun Manet said earlier this month that he scrapped a plan to build a 700-megawatt coal power plant project at the Botum Sakor National Park in Koh Kong province, encouraging the project developer to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired power plant instead.

He said the move is to show the country’s commitment to green energy.

“Cambodia aims to lift its share of clean energy generation capacity to 70 percent by 2030 from the current 62 percent,” he said, adding that the kingdom encourages investment in hydropower and solar and wind farm projects. Enditem