The Cambodian government has commenced operations at the 18MW Kirirom III hydro power plant in the southwestern part of the country.
The facility will produce 78 million KWh of electricity a year and help the country reduce its power shortage crisis and dependence on oil-fueled electricity.
State Grid Corporation of China executed the construction of the Kirirom III plant at a cost of $47.1m, under a 30-year build- operate-transfer (BOT) concessional contract with the Cambodian government.
Electricity from the hydro plant is sold to state-owned firm Electricity of Cambodia for a cost of 7.91 cents per KWh.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen noted that construction of the plant was completed last year and that it is noteworthy achievement for the country with investments coming from China.
“In the context of globally soaring oil price, electricity generated by hydropower plants is a sustainable source of electric power supply,” Sen added.
The Kirirom III dam is the 3rd Chinese hydroelectric investment that has begun operations in Cambodia following the 193MW Kamchay plant in Kampot province and the 12MW Kirirom I facility in Kampong Speu province.