Accelerating the Transition towards a Sustainable Energy Future

10/16/2016

Energy transition is a long-term structural change in energy systems. It designates a significant change in energy policy. The term encompasses a reorientation of policy from demand to supply and a shift from centralized to distributed generation which should replace overproduction and avoidable energy consumption with energy-saving measures and increased efficiency. It is the shift to decentralized renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

Cambodia ranked a low 115 out of 130 countries on the annual index, which assesses countries according to how well they manage the trade-offs between three competing dimensions of energy policy: energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability.

The electricity tariffs in Cambodia are higher than those in neighboring countries, reflecting the high cost of petroleum-based generation and the fragmented power supply system in the country, as well as inefficiencies in power generation and transmission infrastructure. Electricity coverage remains low despite the progress that has been made. About half of the entire population still has no access to electricity.

Cambodia’s energy demand is expected to grow at an average rate of 5.2% per year until 2035. Harnessing renewable energy and improving energy efficiency are two of the most promising priorities to meet the soaring energy demand. RE resource development and technology deployment in Cambodia is mainly in initial demonstration stages. To date, only about 980 MW RE capacity has been developed which largely is hydropower while the National Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan have not been adopted.

Germany is a leading on the transition to sustainable energy. The Energiewende (German for energy transition) is the transition by Germany to a low carbon, environmentally sound, reliable, and affordable energy supply. The new system will rely heavily on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy demand management. Most if not all existing coal-fired generation will need to be retired. The phase-out of Germany's fleet of nuclear reactors, to be complete by 2022, is a key part of the program.

Cambodia needs to quickly promote the transition to sustainable energy to address its energy challenges. Enrich Institute in partnership with the Regional Project Energy security and Climate change Asia-Pacific (RECAP) of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung organizes this capacity building workshop to contribute to the effort to accelerate the process. The workshop has the following objectives:

· Justify the need for Cambodia’s transition to sustainable energy
· Learn from Germany and other countries on the issues and challenges in promoting sustainable energy transition
· Debate on the policy and regulator changes needed to promote energy transition
· Explore and discuss the potential funding source for energy transition

Fifty government representatives from Ministry of Mines and Energy, Electricity Authority of Cambodia, EdC, Ministry of Environment and National Council for Sustainable Development took part in the workshop.

Special guest speakers include:
Dr. Peter HEFELE, Director of Regional Project Energy security and Climate change Asia-Pacific (RECAP)
Mr. Rene Gradwohl, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Country Representative for Cambodia
Mr. Touch Sovanna, Director of Department of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Mines and Energy
Dr. Birgit Wetzel, Economic Journalist based in Berlin
Mr. Christophe Bongars, CEO of SustainAsia