The Cambodian government has entered into a public-private partnership with a little-known company named ALEX Corporation Co Ltd to develop power lines from plants in Preah Sihanouk province to Phnom Penh, according to the Council of Ministers.

The private firm will invest $119.1 million in a build-operate-transfer agreement to construct and run the infrastructure before handing it over to the government at the end of a 29-year lease.

The 230-kilovolt power transmission lines will connect Preah Sihanouk, Takeo and Kampot provinces up with the capital.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said yesterday the project had been given the green light following a feasibility study completed by the China Heavy Machinery Company.

Siphan could not provide any more details on project partner ALEX corporation.

Prak Chan Reuon, director of the Ministry of Industry, Mining and Energy’s Preah Sihanouk provincial department, said he did not have details on the project. Welcoming the investment, Reuon said the lines could connect to the Cambodia Energy Limited run coal plant in Preah Sihanouk province.

Neither Electricite du Cambodge nor the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy could be reached for comment.