Cambodians Switch to Solar Panels as Electricity Infrastructure Falls Short

Cambodians Switch to Solar Panels as Electricity Infrastructure Falls Short

Almost 40 years after the upheaval of the Khmer Rouge regime, residents of
Bati commune near the Cambodian border with Vietnam are still without
electricity.

In Thnanh village, just six kilometers from the major provincial city of
Bavet, residents question why, in a town known for its gaudy casinos and
cross-border trade, they cannot light their homes.

Many have now turned to solar power.

Sun Sothea, 35, one of many market traders in the village says that despite
the erection of pylons and wires crisscrossing the streets, villagers have
had to seek alternatives to power their homes.

"I've been wondering why there is electricity and wires and poles, but no
power," he said.

Sothea bought a solar panel last year for about $400, which brings enough
power to his home to use lights and fans to fend off the incessant heat.

"I cannot use it with big things, like running machinery or water pumps," he
said. "We still need electricity soon."

Another villager, In Boy, 65, said the local community banded together and
called on the authorities to supply electricity some time ago, but he too
has resorted to solar power for his basic needs as no response was
forthcoming.

"Since I have been waiting for electricity for so long, I decided to buy
solar power to use," he said. "It's so boring when there's no electricity. I
don't know what to say. Other residents in other areas have it."

Many here still use batteries, candles and lamps. Chhim Chhaiya, 32, a
garment worker, cannot afford to buy a solar panel, adding that she often
uses a flashlight to cook after dark.

"I long for electricity as soon as possible. I will be very happy to have
lights in my home," she said.

Chan Sarun, Bati commune chief, said he was not responsible for the lack of
power. "I don't know why there is no electricity. I want it too."

A new $12.5 million solar farm being build by Singaporean firm Sunseap
International in Bavet city expected to be finished in August may go some
way to alleviating the villagers' concerns.

Kelvin Ang, project manager at Sunseap, said the 10 megawatts produced by
the plant would "help improve the energy shortage in all areas covered" by
the national electricity authority, Electricite du Cambodge (EdC).

He added that the solar farm would supply about a quarter of Svay Rieng
province's energy demands at peak times.

"We understand EdC is now working very hard to expand more and more its grid
to remote areas where there is no electricity," Ang said.

"With the energy sent from Phnom Penh and the energy produced from our solar
farm, we believe Svay Rieng will no longer face energy shortages."

Cambodia generates about half of its electricity from hydropower, while it
imports significant amounts from Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

Men Vibol, the provincial governor, claimed the province had sufficient
levels of electricity, adding that the reach of the power grid to rural
areas was to blame.

"It's not a shortage," he said. "It depends on connectivity. We now almost
have coverage across the whole province."

Villagers living near the under-construction solar farm, say switching to
state electricity from private providers is cheaper.

Kim Navy, 26, who recently made the switch, said she had her power bills cut
in half after ditching a private supplier.

"It is good if the price is lower. If the solar farm provides low cost and
reliable power, it is good," he said.

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Link to Original Article:
https://www.voacambodia.com/a/cambodians-switch-to-solar-panels-as-electrici
ty-infrastructure-falls-short/3916668.html

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com