Cambodia Hits 95% Electrification But Quality Concerns Persist

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KT Chor Sokunthea

 

 

Cambodia has surpassed expectations by reaching over 95% household electrification, marking a major milestone in rural development—but issues of service quality and affordability still loom large.

 

Electricité du Cambodge (EDC) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy celebrated the achievement this week at an event marking the 20th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Fund. Officials revealed that 99.15% of villages now have access to electricity, with 95.24% of households connected to the national grid—exceeding World Bank projections for 2030.

 

“Even in remote or flood-prone areas where the national grid can't reach, solar power systems are helping us ensure universal village access,” said EDC’s Praing Chulasa.

 

Energy Minister Keo Rottanak credited Cambodia’s post-war peace for enabling long-term infrastructure planning. “Without peace, there is no electricity, no investment,” he said, praising past and present leaders for prioritising the sector.

 

Over the past two decades, Cambodia’s power generation has grown from 150 MW to 5,360 MW, with 3,600 MW of stable capacity. Yet despite the success in coverage, gaps remain in service reliability and cost.

 

In areas like Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district and Spean Thmar, residents report frequent outages and high prices, especially where private operators manage the supply. “Sometimes there’s no power for half a day,” said Leng Sopheaktra, a small business owner. “We need cheaper, more reliable electricity.”

 

The situation reflects broader structural challenges. According to Cambodia’s 2023 Energy Road Map, the country still faces issues in energy planning, environmental sustainability, and pricing. Electricity remains expensive for many, hindering competitiveness and growth.

 

To keep tariffs affordable, the government allocated $150 million in subsidies to EDC last year. But the utility still forecast a $130 million loss—raising concerns about long-term financial stability.

 

In response, EDC is launching a digital transformation project, backed by the EU and France’s AFD, to cut power losses, improve grid reliability, and integrate renewables.

 

While the coverage milestone is commendable, Cambodia’s next task is clear: making electricity not just available, but dependable and affordable for all.

 

-2025-05-22

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Safety of the installation people also needs big attention. In the photo I see a light rope with a simple knot and wound around another line. 

 

If this is to prevent the installation man from falling down seems to be very inadequate for the task.