The Asian Development Bank ( ADB ) has approved a US$52.72 million loan for a grid expansion project in Cambodia. The project will strengthen the country’s transmission network to integrate more renewable energy into the national grid and help meet rising electricity demand with cleaner, locally generated power.

Cambodia has expanded its domestic electricity generation rapidly, doubling output from 8.68 terawatt-hours in 2020 to 17.85TWh in 2024. Over the same period, reliance on imported electricity dropped from 3.06TWh to 1.57TWh. This progress reflects the country’s growing energy self-reliance and the potential of renewable power sources to support its development goals.

The ADB notes that Cambodia’s grid was built for conventional power and now needs to be expanded to handle growing solar and wind generation capacity. The project will build 55 kilometers of 230-kilovolt transmission lines between Pursat and Kampong Chhnang, and upgrade nine substations across the country. The investment will strengthen transmission capacity to deliver renewable energy to demand centres nationwide, improve reliability, and encourage greater private investment.

Aligned with Cambodia’s Power Development Master Plan ( 2022–2040 ) and the National Energy Efficiency Policy ( 2022–2030 ), the project will help reduce transmission losses and enhance energy security.