AsiaPhase I of the National Solar Park in Cambodia, with a capacity of 60 MW, recently completed construction and connected to the national grid, reaching a record-low price for utility-scale, grid-connected solar PV in Southeast Asia at $0.039 per kWh. The tender was organized in 2019 and awarded to renewable energy projects developer Prime Road Alternative.
The National Solar Park is built upon the partnership between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Electricite du Cambodge (EDC), Cambodia's national power utility. It is regarded as a convincing example demonstrating the potential to develop cost-effective large-scale solar PV in Cambodia by uniting the public and private sectors.
Phase II of the solar park, which totals 40 MW, was tendered in 2020 and awarded to Trina Solar with another record-low price of $0.026 per kWh.
Jointly, National Solar Park will reach its designed total capacity of 100 MW.
ADB has contributed to Cambodia's electrification and clean energy transition for many years. It was an early power in helping Cambodia increase its household electricity access from 17% in 2008 to almost 90% in 2021 while also helping reduce electricity costs nationwide, according to Keo Rottanak, a management member at EDC.
With ADB's continued support, Cambodia has established the necessary conditions for a cleaner and more sustainable energy transition. The country recently approved the Power Development Masterplan (2021–2040), covering an inspiring goal of increasing solar PV capacity to 1,000 MW by 2030 and 3,000 MW by 2040.
Solar generation will need to be a key part of Cambodia's efforts to expand access to affordable power while also transitioning to cleaner energy.
—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 all of Southeast Asia."
