Sunseap wins tender to build first large-scale solar farm in Cambodia

SINGAPORE solar company Sunseap Group has won a government tender to build the first large-scale solar farm project in Cambodia.

To be developed 10 kilometres away from Bavet, a special economic zone of Cambodia in Svay Rieng province, the 10-megawatt project will help to meet the energy requirements of the area which add up to about 40 megawatts. Half of this is currently imported from Vietnam.

The solar farm will be completed in the first half of next year, said the firm.

As part of the project, Sunseap has also entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with the state utility Electricite du Cambodge.

Sunseap director Frank Phuan said that the project is indicative of the firm's expansion into the international market.

"Cambodia is a region where there is a lot of potential for solar development, particularly in rural electrification," he said. "We hope that this project will provide an impetus for future solar projects in Cambodia."

IE Singapore group director for environment and infrastructure solutions, Kow Juan Tiang, said that Singapore companies have developed strong expertise in renewable energy in Singapore and the region.

"Renewable energy is gaining importance as a mainstream energy source," he noted. "The cost of implementation of renewable energy is decreasing and the effect of climate change is getting more pronounced."