Phase I of Cambodia’s National Solar Farm with a capacity of 60 MW was recently completed and connected to the national grid, setting a record price for utility-scale grid-connected solar PV in Southeast Asia $0.039 per kWh. The tender was organized in 2019 and awarded to the developer of renewable energy projects, Prime Road Alternative.

The National Solar Park builds on the partnership between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Electricite du Cambodge (EDC), Cambodia’s national power company. It is considered a compelling example demonstrating the potential for developing cost-effective large-scale solar photovoltaics in Cambodia by bringing together the public and private sectors.

Phase II of the solar park totaling 40 MW was tendered in 2020 and awarded to Trina Solar at another record price of $0.026 per kWh.

Together, the National Solar Park will reach its planned total capacity of 100 MW.

ADB has been contributing to electrification and clean energy transition in Cambodia for many years. According to Keo Rottanak, a member of EDC’s senior management team, helping Cambodia increase access to household electricity from 17% in 2008 to almost 90% in 2021, while helping to reduce electricity costs nationwide, was an early power reduce.

With the continued support of ADB, Cambodia has created the necessary conditions for a cleaner and more sustainable energy transition. The country recently approved the Power Development Master Plan (2021-2040), which includes the inspirational goal of increasing solar PV capacity to 1,000 MW by 2030 and 3,000 MW by 2040.

– said Masatsugu Asakawa, President of ADB, in a recent statement.

Commenting on the National Solar Park project, Asakawa added, “ADB is pleased to have supported the establishment of the National Solar Park, which is a landmark project not only for Cambodia but for the whole of Southeast Asia.”