The locally owned Cambodia International Investment and Development Group (CIIDG) and China Huadian Hong Kong Co Ltd (CHDHK) are partnering to build two coal-fired power plants in Preah Sihanouk province.

With capital investment of around $1 billion, the facilities will be able to produce some 700MW of electricity.

Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) director-general Keo Rattanak said at the signing and groundbreaking ceremony last week that construction will be completed by the end of 2022, with the plants generating power in early 2023. Each facility will be able to produce 350MW.

“The plants will be able to produce power in dry season and will help lower the price of electricity. The joint venture between the two companies shows the strong ties between China and Cambodia,” Rattanak said.

Preah Sihanouk governor Kuoch Chamroeun, who presided over the ceremony, said the companies had complied with the law and conducted environmental impact studies.

“Cambodia has faced power shortages, while the price of electricity is high. This investment in the power sector will go a long way towards meeting the demands of the people and investors,” Chamroeun said.http://https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/two-coal-power-plants-built-preah-sihanouk