A more than $1.2 billion coal-fired powerplant project will break ground in Preah Sihanouk province early next year, said Ministry of Mines and Energy officials.
The 700-megawatt plant, funded by the Cambodia International Investment Development Group (CIIDG), was approved on May 25 by the Council of Ministers.
It is the CIIDG’s second coal-fired powerplant project in the province, under a 35-year build-operate-own concession.
The ministry’s officials said the plant is set to be completed and online by 2023.
The CIIDG is currently operating a $383 million coal-powered plant which can generate 270 megawatts of electricity.
It is also developing a 135-megawatt plant, which began construction earlier this year and will start operating in 2021.
Ministry director general Victor Jona told The Post on Monday that the two-phase project had already been approved in principle and the company was now looking for a cooperation partner.
“The company has already obtained the necessary government approval, so it could begin construction next year,” he said.
There are two coal-fired power plants operating in Preah Sihanouk province – one by CIIDG and another by Malaysian-owned Leader Universal Holdings with a 100-megawatt capacity.
