The China Huadian Corporation, who currently operates a 338-megawatt hydropower dam on the Russey Chrum River in Koh Kong, is now conducting negotiations with the government to build two more dams in the province.
Feasibility studies for the new dams – which would be located in Stung Veal Thmor Kambot and Stung Russie Chrum Kandal rivers – have been finished and they have shown positive results, said He Yaofeng, a representative of China Huadian.
The new projects were unveiled on Sunday during a visit to the proposed dam sites which included local government officials as well as neighbours from the surrounding areas.
“Cambodia has great potential for power generation, so we wanted to conclude these studies as soon as possible,” Mr He said, adding that the company has also considered solar energy projects but has shied away from pursuing them as the technology remains too expensive.
The Stung Veal Thmor Kambot dam will have a capacity of 100 megawatts, while the Stung Russie Chrum Kandal dam will be able to produce 70 megawatts, Mr He said.
Victor Jona, director-general of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said the feasibility studies show the projects have potential, but stressed that more time is needed to consider them and negotiate with China Huadian.
“The next step is to analyse the studies in more detail,” Mr Jona said, adding that a joint assessment by the Ministry of Mine and Energy and the Ministry of Environment will be conducted soon to evaluate the projects.
