In 2024, fossil fuels supplied about 43% of Cambodia’s electricity consumption, with coal alone accounting for 41%. Low-carbon electricity supplied almost 30%, led by hydropower at about 25% and solar at 5%. Net imports covered the remaining 27%—more than a quarter of consumption. Because the sources of imported electricity are not specified, that share cannot be classified as either clean or fossil-based from these data. Expanding domestic clean electricity could help Cambodia meet rising demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their climate and air-pollution impacts.

Is Electricity Growing in Cambodia?

Electricity consumption in Cambodia is growing: it reached a record 1,217 kWh per person in 2024, up 134 kWh, or about 12%, from the previous record set in 2023. However, low-carbon electricity generation has not kept pace with its own historical high. It stood at 362 kWh per person in 2024, around 39 kWh—or 10%—below the record of 401 kWh in 2022. The growth in electricity consumption is encouraging, but the shortfall in clean generation highlights the need to accelerate low-carbon investment to support electrification and future demand.

Suggestions

Cambodia can build on its existing hydropower base by expanding solar electricity and preparing to introduce nuclear generation. Pakistan offers a useful regional example, generating 24% of its electricity from solar and 13% from nuclear, while Sri Lanka generates 15% from solar. These examples suggest considerable scope to lift Cambodia’s solar share beyond its current 5%, supported by stronger grids, storage, and investment in rooftop and utility-scale projects. For nuclear development, Cambodia could study South Korea, where nuclear supplies 25% of electricity, and France, where it supplies roughly two-thirds, learning from their workforce training, regulatory institutions, and long-term planning. Together, solar expansion and a carefully developed nuclear programme could substantially strengthen Cambodia’s clean electricity supply.

History

Cambodia’s low-carbon electricity growth since 2012 has been driven mainly by hydropower. Annual hydro gains during 2012–2017 added up to about 2.6 TWh, followed by a particularly strong 2 TWh increase in 2018. Hydropower then fell by a combined 0.7 TWh in 2019–2020 before rebounding with gains of 1.2 TWh in 2021 and 0.9 TWh in 2022. A further 0.8 TWh decline in 2023 was a disappointing setback. Solar, meanwhile, increased every year listed from 2019 through 2024, adding about 1.1 TWh altogether, including gains of 0.3 TWh in both 2021 and 2024. Biofuel generation showed no change in the reported years of 2019 and 2022. This history underscores the value of accelerating solar and developing nuclear electricity alongside Cambodia’s established hydropower supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade