Phnom Penh
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday approved a $52.72 million loan to support Cambodia’s Grid Expansion Project. The initiative aims to strengthen the national transmission network, integrate renewable energy, and meet rising electricity needs with cleaner, locally generated power.
Cambodia has rapidly expanded domestic power generation, doubling output from 8.68 terawatt hours in 2020 to 17.85 TWh in 2024. During the same period, reliance on imports dropped from 3.06 TWh to 1.57 TWh, reflecting growing energy independence and renewable potential.
ADB’s Cambodia country director Jyotsana Varma said reliable and affordable electricity was “the backbone of Cambodia’s growth story.” She stressed the project would not only build transmission lines but also connect schools, hospitals, homes, and businesses to a more resilient energy future.
The project will construct 55 km of 230-kilovolt transmission lines between Pursat and Kampong Chhnang provinces, alongside upgrades to nine substations nationwide. These improvements are expected to reduce transmission losses, strengthen energy security, and expand the capacity for solar and wind integration.