Synopsis: Clean energy is no longer an alternative, it is the imperative. It is the key to unlocking our next chapter of growth, says Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Clean energy holds the key to unlocking the Kingdom’s next chapter of growth, a chapter defined not by how much the country produces, but how intelligently and sustainably it is produced and utilised, said Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Speaking at the Clean Energy Summit of ‘Clean Energy Week 2025’ at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra yesterday, Vanndy said, “We live in an era of rapid digitalisation and global transformation.
Yet, climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Driven by unsustainable extraction and consumption, our natural resources are under strain. The urgency to act has never been greater. Cambodia is already addressing these challenges,” the minister said.
Vanndy pointed out that energy has been the engine of the country’s remarkable economic growth. “But the global landscape is shifting. Our industries are advancing, our technological demands are growing, and our people are aspiring to achieve a higher quality of life. To meet these demands, our energy system must evolve from simply just providing power to providing power smartly, sustainably, and strategically.
“Clean energy is no longer an alternative; it is the imperative. It is the key to unlocking our next chapter of growth, a chapter defined not by how much we produce, but by how intelligently and sustainably we produce and utilise it.
“Global brands have now shifted demand towards renewable and sustainable energy from their suppliers. To remain competitive, Cambodia must embed clean energy into every factory, every supply chain, and every industrial policy.”
He said having reliable and affordable solar, hydro-power, and wind power lower operational costs across the Kingdom’s factories, making ‘Made in Cambodia’ products more attractive in the global brand market. “Clean energy is also unlocking new industrial opportunities from BYD’s investment to Schneitec’s Green Bonds.”
Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, said Cambodia can count on Australia as a long-term partner on this journey.
“Through our Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development – CAPRED – and in close collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia, we’re working together across multiple fronts.
“We are developing advanced forecasting systems for solar and hydro energy and strengthening government capacity to manage variable renewable energy integration.
The envoy said Australia is helping to establish the Cambodia Climate Financing Facility – the country’s first dedicated green finance mechanism, projected to unlock $350 million in climate-friendly investments. “The facility will help to mobilise capital into climate projects by helping investors to derisk and scale up.”
Emphasising the significance of access to clean energy for Cambodia’s development, Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia, said: “In every country UNDP works, the energy sector is at the forefront of our collective Agenda 2030 objectives. A transition toward net-zero holds the key to indispensable accelerators of sustainable development with attributes such as socio-economic resilience, fiscal affordability, and human security.
“Cambodia can achieve its development ambitions by moving towards universal access to clean, efficient, affordable, and inclusive energy. UNDP stands ready to play its role alongside the Royal Government of Cambodia in support of a meaningful green finance transition, reducing the cost to public finance and de-risking what is certainly a capital intensive transformation.”
EnergyLab Asia Regional Director, Natharoun Ngo Son, said, “Cambodia has a generational opportunity to leverage clean energy to drive the country’s economic competitiveness and show that Cambodia is ready to take advantage of the new clean energy paradigm.”
Chhe Lidin, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said 99 percent of villages and 95 percent of households in the Kingdom have access to electricity, which is a unique milestone.
“Renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives constitute the cornerstone of Cambodia’s energy policy.”
Under the theme ‘Unlocking a Clean Energy Economy’, Clean Energy Week 2025 will host a series of events running until October 9 that will focus on the vital role that clean energy can play in securing the country’s economic future.
It will showcase how clean energy can strengthen Cambodia’s existing industries, such as garment production and tourism, while attracting millions of dollars of new investment in energy-intensive and clean technology industries.
‘Clean Energy Week 2025’ was organised by EnergyLab Cambodia, in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and in collaboration with co-founders, Australia and the United Nations Development Programme.
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Article: https://www.khmertimeskh.com
Clean energy holds the key to unlocking the Kingdom’s next chapter of growth, a chapter defined not by how much the country produces, but how intelligently and sustainably it is produced and utilised, said Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Speaking at the Clean Energy Summit of ‘Clean Energy Week 2025’ at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra yesterday, Vanndy said, “We live in an era of rapid digitalisation and global transformation.
Yet, climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Driven by unsustainable extraction and consumption, our natural resources are under strain. The urgency to act has never been greater. Cambodia is already addressing these challenges,” the minister said.
Vanndy pointed out that energy has been the engine of the country’s remarkable economic growth. “But the global landscape is shifting. Our industries are advancing, our technological demands are growing, and our people are aspiring to achieve a higher quality of life. To meet these demands, our energy system must evolve from simply just providing power to providing power smartly, sustainably, and strategically.
“Clean energy is no longer an alternative; it is the imperative. It is the key to unlocking our next chapter of growth, a chapter defined not by how much we produce, but by how intelligently and sustainably we produce and utilise it.
“Global brands have now shifted demand towards renewable and sustainable energy from their suppliers. To remain competitive, Cambodia must embed clean energy into every factory, every supply chain, and every industrial policy.”
He said having reliable and affordable solar, hydro-power, and wind power lower operational costs across the Kingdom’s factories, making ‘Made in Cambodia’ products more attractive in the global brand market. “Clean energy is also unlocking new industrial opportunities from BYD’s investment to Schneitec’s Green Bonds.”
Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, said Cambodia can count on Australia as a long-term partner on this journey.
“Through our Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development – CAPRED – and in close collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia, we’re working together across multiple fronts.
“We are developing advanced forecasting systems for solar and hydro energy and strengthening government capacity to manage variable renewable energy integration.
The envoy said Australia is helping to establish the Cambodia Climate Financing Facility – the country’s first dedicated green finance mechanism, projected to unlock $350 million in climate-friendly investments. “The facility will help to mobilise capital into climate projects by helping investors to derisk and scale up.”
Emphasising the significance of access to clean energy for Cambodia’s development, Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia, said: “In every country UNDP works, the energy sector is at the forefront of our collective Agenda 2030 objectives. A transition toward net-zero holds the key to indispensable accelerators of sustainable development with attributes such as socio-economic resilience, fiscal affordability, and human security.
“Cambodia can achieve its development ambitions by moving towards universal access to clean, efficient, affordable, and inclusive energy. UNDP stands ready to play its role alongside the Royal Government of Cambodia in support of a meaningful green finance transition, reducing the cost to public finance and de-risking what is certainly a capital intensive transformation.”
EnergyLab Asia Regional Director, Natharoun Ngo Son, said, “Cambodia has a generational opportunity to leverage clean energy to drive the country’s economic competitiveness and show that Cambodia is ready to take advantage of the new clean energy paradigm.”
Chhe Lidin, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said 99 percent of villages and 95 percent of households in the Kingdom have access to electricity, which is a unique milestone.
“Renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives constitute the cornerstone of Cambodia’s energy policy.”
Under the theme ‘Unlocking a Clean Energy Economy’, Clean Energy Week 2025 will host a series of events running until October 9 that will focus on the vital role that clean energy can play in securing the country’s economic future.
It will showcase how clean energy can strengthen Cambodia’s existing industries, such as garment production and tourism, while attracting millions of dollars of new investment in energy-intensive and clean technology industries.
‘Clean Energy Week 2025’ was organised by EnergyLab Cambodia, in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and in collaboration with co-founders, Australia and the United Nations Development Programme.
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Article: https://www.khmertimeskh.com