Electricity in Cambodia in 2022

In 2022, Cambodia's electricity consumption exhibited a nearly even split between low-carbon and fossil energy sources. With low-carbon electricity, including hydropower and solar, accounting for approximately 36% of the electricity mix, and fossil sources like coal at around 35%, Cambodia shows a clear potential to shift towards greener energy. More than half of the clean energy generated comes from hydropower, making up about 32%, while solar power contributes a small yet significant fraction at roughly 3%. Net imports, another substantial component of Cambodia's electricity supply, account for nearly 29%, while coal dominates the fossil sources, making up 31%. This balanced distribution highlights the country's reliance on both domestic and imported electricity and signals opportunities for enhancing its green energy share.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Cambodia could look to countries like Uruguay and Greece, which have significant shares of wind and solar power, respectively. Uruguay generates nearly 36% of its electricity from wind, demonstrating success in harnessing this resource to boost low-carbon generation. Greece, with more than 20% of its electricity coming from solar power, showcases the effectiveness of investing in solar technology, which is particularly relevant for Cambodia given its sunny climate. Additionally, countries like Denmark have effectively utilized wind energy (59%) to significantly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. By learning from these examples, Cambodia can explore expanding its wind and solar capacity and also consider investing in nuclear energy, which plays a critical role in countries like France and Slovakia, where it accounts for the majority of the electricity supply, providing a stable and clean energy source.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Cambodia demonstrates a gradual but determined growth over recent decades, particularly in hydropower. At the dawn of the 21st century, Cambodia began expanding its hydropower capabilities, albeit slowly, with consistent albeit small annual additions. The years 2012 and 2013 mark a more focused effort, with each year introducing an additional 0.5 TWh from hydropower. A significant leap occurred in 2018 with a 2 TWh increase, although 2019 saw a slight decline. During these years, solar power began to take root, contributing small but growing amounts to the electricity mix from 2019 to 2021. While these strides represent substantial progress, there is a clear need for continual investment in low-carbon technologies to further reduce fossil fuel dependency and bolster sustainable energy infrastructure.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources