As of 2024, the landscape of electricity consumption in Cambodia is characterized by a relatively balanced mix of energy sources, although there is room for improvement towards cleaner options. Fossil fuels, primarily coal, make up more than 40% of Cambodia's electricity sources, indicating a substantial reliance on carbon-intensive energy. In contrast, low-carbon electricity, including hydropower and solar, accounts for almost a third of the electricity generation. Notably, hydropower is a significant contributor, supplying close to a quarter of the electricity, while solar energy contributes a modest 5%. In addition to domestic sources, net electricity imports form approximately 27% of the total consumption, underscoring the importance of cross-border energy trade for the nation's electricity needs.
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 experiencing growth, evidenced by the recent increase in per capita electricity usage. In 2024, the average Cambodian consumed 1217 kWh of electricity, up from the previous record of 1083 kWh per person in 2023. This represents a notable increase of 134 kWh per person, highlighting a positive trend in electricity usage. However, the progress in low-carbon electricity generation has seen a slight dip. The latest figures show per capita low-carbon electricity generation at 362 kWh, which is a 39 kWh decline from the 401 kWh recorded in 2022. This dip in low-carbon electricity generation is concerning and suggests the need for stronger initiatives to bolster clean energy sources in Cambodia.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Cambodia can look to learn from regions that have successfully integrated solar, wind, and nuclear energy into their energy mix. Countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy accounts for around 70% and 66% of the electricity respectively, exemplify the potential of nuclear power. Meanwhile, states such as Nevada and Lebanon showcase solar power's viability with more than 30% of electricity coming from solar sources. Given Cambodia's sunny climate, investing significantly in solar energy could yield substantial benefits. Additionally, diversifying the energy mix with wind energy, as seen in Denmark and Iowa where wind provides close to 60% of electricity, could further strengthen Cambodia's clean energy portfolio.
History
Cambodia's journey of enhancing its low-carbon electricity generation has seen varied developments over the years. Starting in the early 2010s, hydropower experienced consistent growth, with notable expansions in 2012 and 2013, each contributing an additional half TWh. This upward trajectory included a peak of 2 TWh in 2018, although there were occasional declines such as the -0.5 TWh in 2019. Solar energy has gradually emerged since 2019, with modest increases reaching 0.3 TWh in 2021 and 2024. Despite these positive strides, the relative decline in low-carbon electricity output compared to previous records calls for a focus on accelerating the deployment of sustainable energy infrastructure, particularly in solar, to ensure a cleaner, more resilient energy future for Cambodia.
