Hun Sen says power shortages won’t happen again
- Thmey Thmey
- June 3, 2019 4:42 AM
Pledge comes amid plans to add 500 MW to grid
PHNOM PENH--Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday that recent severe electricity shortages were an important lesson for the government and that they would not happen again.
“The government has gained much experience from the electricity shortages this year," he told a university graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh. "We must not allow this to occur again,” the prime minister said.
Hun Sen recently announced that Cambodia would buy two generators from Finland and Germany with a combined capacity of 400 MW to meet rising electricity demand.
The generators and solar power projects are expected to add 500 MW to the grid.
Between March and May, shortages of up to 400 MW led to power cuts in Phnom Penh and major provinces, triggering outrage at the peak of the hot season.
The government aims to achieve 100 percent electricity coverage nationwide by 2020.
Despite progress in developing the power network, the Asian Development Bank estimates that nearly five million Cambodians still lack access to electricity.
