EDC expects electricity imports to fall in 2017

As domestic power production increases thanks to investments in hydropower resources, Cambodia’s electricity imports from neighboring countries are expected to fall this year, according to the annual report released on Monday by Electricite du Cambodge (EDC). The EDC report stated that purchases of electricity from overseas fell by 25% YoY in 2016, and are expected to fall further by 20% YoY in 2017. In 2016, 1,592 MW of power was produced domestically and the EDC estimates that 1,732 MW of electricity will be generated in the country this year. Cambodia has six hydroelectric plants in operation and one coal-powered plant. EDC’s chairman Ty Norin said the new coal-fired power plant in Preah Sihanouk province, with a 135 MW-capacity, will be fully operational from April. According to Norin, about 86% of the 2.16 million households can now access electricity from the national grid, and prices have greatly fallen in recent years, with rural consumers paying about $0.15 per kilowatt-hour, down from $0.50 a few years ago. (Source: Khmer Times)