In 2024, Cambodia's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 40% of electricity still coming from such non-sustainable sources, predominantly coal. On the more positive side, almost a third of the country's electricity comes from low-carbon, clean sources, which include hydropower and solar power. Hydropower contributes almost a quarter, while solar provides a smaller, but growing, share at about 5%. There are also significant net imports, comprising about 27% of the electricity consumption, which supports Cambodia's energy needs possibly from a mix of sources within the ASEAN interconnection grids.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Cambodia?
Cambodia's electricity consumption is growing, with the latest figures from 2024 reaching 1217 kWh per person, marking an increase of 134 kWh per person from 2023. However, this growth in overall consumption is not mirrored in the low-carbon sector, which, at 362 kWh per person in 2024, has seen a decline from its previous high of 401 kWh per person in 2022. This drop is disappointing and indicates a need for a more robust strategy in boosting low-carbon energy expansion to ensure sustainable electricity growth that aligns with Cambodia's increasing demand while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To boost Cambodia’s generation of low-carbon electricity, particularly in solar and nuclear energy, the country can learn from regions like Nevada, California, and Lebanon, where solar energy comprises significant portions of their electricity generation portfolios—34%, 31%, and 31% respectively. Likewise, the success of the nuclear sector in countries such as Slovakia with nuclear providing 66% of their electricity illustrates a reliable model for achieving a clean, sustainable power supply. Investing in and adopting such technological advancements will not only enhance Cambodia’s energy security but also support its climate and sustainability goals, offering a cleaner future with reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
History
Historically, Cambodia has seen various shifts in its low-carbon electricity generation. During the early 2010s, hydropower was a major contributor to the increments in the country's clean energy portfolio with consistent increases each year. A significant boost was observed in 2018 with a notable rise in hydropower followed by fluctuations in subsequent years. Solar energy started its growth slowly in 2019, and by 2024 it continued to rise, indicating an opportunity for further expansion. Biofuels entered the mix but have not shown remarkable growth. Cambodia's trajectory highlights a key opportunity to stabilize and boost its clean energy generation by focusing on the immense potential of both solar and nuclear power to meet future energy demands sustainably.
