Cambodia plans to meet rising electricity demand by building three new coal-fired power plants, writes The Japan Times.
Ironically, climate change played an important role in the Cambodian government's decision to double coal production, according to experts the newspaper spoke to.
The country previously met almost half of its electricity needs through renewable energy, mostly from hydroelectric dams on the Mekong River. But a severe drought in 2019 led to a widespread energy shortage and a political discussion about coal investments.
However, Lauri Myllyvirta, chief analyst at the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, points out that Cambodia is unlikely to benefit financially from coal power as the price of renewable energy declines "dramatically".
- The wild swings in coal prices and global coal markets over the past three years have clearly shown the economic risks of being dependent on fossil fuels, he says.
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Resident: "Getting worse for future generations"
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to stop building and supporting coal-fired power projects abroad in a speech at the United Nations in 2021.
The announcement was hailed, but the future of the 77 Chinese-backed coal projects remains largely unclear, writes The Japan Times.
Three coal projects in Cambodia remain under construction, while 14 coal-fired power plants have been officially shut down in Indonesia and Vietnam, according to the Helsinki-based Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Residents of the Cambodian district of Steung Hav fear the effects that additional coal power could have on their health.
- The situation is not good as it is, but it will be much worse for the next generation in this province, says Hang Dara, who left his job as an electrician at a coal complex due to health problems.
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