Chinese-built largest dam in Cambodia starts testing operation

[geovalin]

The Lower Russei Chrum River hydroelectric dam, which is the Cambodia's largest hydropower plant, has begun testing operation after it has been constructed for three and a half years, a company's official said Saturday.

The 338-megawatt hydropower dam, situated in the jungle in Mondol Sima district of southwestern Koh Kong province, was developed by the giant power company China Huadian Corp for a cost of 500 million US dollars under a 35-year build-operate-transfer contract.

Under terms of the agreement, the plant sells power to the state-owned Electricity of Cambodia.

Le Jianhua, deputy general manager of China Huadian Lower Russei Chrum River Hydroelectric Project Company, said the firm has completed the construction of the dam nine months earlier than the schedule.

He said the dam has two reservoirs and four generators.

"We have tested the operation since December last year. Up to now, the plant has supplied 190 million kwh to the Electricity of Cambodia," he told reporters, adding that the dam is capable to generate the power of 1 billion kwh per year.

"It is the first-ever largest hydroelectric plant in Cambodia at the moment," he said.

Cambodia has a serious shortage of power facilities. Only about 35 percent of its households have access to reliable electricity, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

"The operation of the dam will contribute to developing economic activities and further reduce electricity shortage in Cambodia," Le Jianhua said.

China is the largest investor in building hydroelectric dams in this Southeast Asian nation. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Chinese companies have invested over 1.6 billion US dollars to construct six hydroelectric dams with the total capacity of 928 megawatts in Cambodia.

To date, four dams have come into operations, and the remaining two dams are expected to be completed the construction by next year.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/841301.shtml

[Fookhaht]

The ever-looming presence of China grows stronger in SE Asia...

[geovalin]

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect Thailand1391992759.040888.jpgThe ever-looming presence of China grows stronger in SE Asia...

OK, I'll post another news about "Chinese presence in Cambodia" below.

[geovalin]

China brings trucks and uniforms

Mon, 10 February 2014

Vong Sokheng

China donated 26 military trucks and 30,000 military uniforms to the Ministry of Defence at a ceremony at the Trucking Battalion No 99 headquarters on the outskirts of Phnom Penh on Friday as part of China and Cambodia’s military cooperation program.

Chinese Ambassador Bu Jianguo, who presided over the ceremony, said she “believe[d] that all the military materials will be useful for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces”.

“We wish for the friendship and cooperation of the two governments and the two armies to be deep,” she added.

Ministry of Defence secretary of state Moeung Samphan lauded the handover.

“The aid is timely as Cambodia is facing a shortage of military materials,” Samphan said.

Cambodia National Rescue Party spokesman Yim Sovann said yesterday the opposition supports military aid to protect territorial sovereignty, and asked China “to ensure that military aid [is] not [used to] threaten and intimidate human rights”.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/china-brings-trucks-and-uniforms