Phnom penh: Cambodia officially launched construction on its first pumped-storage hydropower plant on Friday, a 1,000-megawatt (MW) facility destined to become one of the largest renewable energy installations in Southeast Asia. Minister of Mines and Energy, H.E. Keo Rottanak, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony in Koh Kong province, hailing the project as a cornerstone of the nation's transitioning energy landscape. The facility is engineered to act as a massive "battery," storing excess power and releasing it during peak demand to ensure a consistent energy supply.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, this project highlights the deepening infrastructure ties between Cambodia and China. Prior to the commencement of the ceremony, Minister Rottanak held bilateral talks with H.E. Wang Wenbin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Cambodia. The Minister expressed gratitude to the Ambassador and the various technical teams for their cooperation in reaching the construction milestone.

Pumped-storage technology is seen as a critical component for Cambodia's "Green Power" ambitions, providing the necessary flexibility to integrate higher levels of solar and wind energy into the national grid. Industry analysts suggest the 1,000MW capacity will significantly decrease the Kingdom's reliance on traditional fossil fuel generation during high-load periods.