The Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC) said the Kingdom will not face a power shortage during this year’s dry season, as demand for electricity had declined due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

EAC CEO Teng Sokomal said during a recent seminar that there is no significant increase in electricity demand this year as the pandemic had caused some garment factories and hospitality industries to suspend operations.

He forecast that demand for electricity this year will decline by 20 per cent, compared to an increase of around 30 per cent last year.

“Normally, year-on-year energy growth and demand are on the rise, but not this year because the Covid-19 crisis impacted some factories,” he said.

General Department of Energy director-general Victor Jona told The Post that the country needs an average of more than 2,000MW of electricity a year, but demand could drop to 1,800MW this year.

“In principle, when demand is down, we reduce imports from neighbouring countries,” he said.

The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) said 250 factories have been suspended due to Covid-19.

Mao Sothea, the sales manager for Kirirom Food Product Co Ltd, a mango processing plant, said although the company is currently reducing production to wait for the mangoes to finish growing, the factory still needs sustainable electricity to maintain mango jam quality.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/eac-no-power-shortage-year