Cambodian Wind power project deal with French-owned Blue Circle expected in 2020
The government expects to sign an agreement with French-owned Blue Circle to develop a wind farm project within the first half of the year, the director-general of the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s General Department of Energy Victor Jona said on Monday.
Jona told The Post that state-run electricity supplier Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) was in negotiations with the firm and both sides plan to sign an agreement soon.
“I am optimistic they will reach an agreement within the first half of the year,” he said.
Jona said the company’s investment is in response to rising electricity demands and in line with government goals to reduce costs for both commercial and residential users.
“Presently, negotiations are on tariffs between the firm and EdC, which is aiming to procure power sources at lower prices,” he said.
Blue Circle plans to build at least 10 wind turbines with an 80MW capacity on top of Bokor mountain in Teuk Chhou district’s Koh Touch commune.
The cost of investing in wind energy is between $2-$3 million per megawatt, he said.
Blue Circle has been conducting a feasibility study in Mondulkiri and Kampot provinces since 2018, and in March, it revealed that Cambodia has potential for wind energy investment.
The firm said Cambodia could generate 500MW from wind energy. It currently invests in wind energy in Thailand and Vietnam.
Cambodia produced a total of 11,261GWh of power last year, up 21 per cent from 2018’s 9,427GWh, a ministry report said.
The Kingdom sold about 10,885GWh of electricity to more than 1.1 million consumers last year.
The Council of Ministers has approved two coal-fired power plant projects and a transmission line worth nearly $1.7 billion, a plenary meeting of the Council of Ministers revealed last month.
Speaking at an annual meeting last month, Energy Minister Suy Sem said the ministry’s number one priority is the development of electricity sources to improve production capacity, transmission, distribution and connection.
He said it has been working to ensure that the Kingdom’s electricity supply remained stable and meets growing demand.
“Improving electricity services and reducing electricity prices have benefitted people across the country,” he said.
The government attracted more than $6 billion in electricity investment between 2006 and the end of last year, according to a ministry’s report.
Source: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/wind-power-project-deal-expected-year
