Enrich Forum on Sustainable Development 2015
"Harnessing Clean Energy for Sustainable Development"
On September 17, 2015, Enrich Institute in partnership with USAID and the Private Financing Advisory Network (P-FAN) Asia organized the 2nd Enrich Forum on Sustainable Development on the theme "Harnessing Clean Energy For Sustainable Development" at Hotel Cambodiana, Phnom Penh.
In Cambodia, energy is a critical development challenge. Today, only 35% of the total population has access to grid electricity, leaving millions of rural population in the dark. Imported diesel fuel accounts for 90% for domestic electricity production and the electricity price is one of the highest in the world.
Energy shortage could hinder Cambodia’s economic growth and shy potential investors away. Promoting clean energy is one of the effective ways to address the problems. Renewable energy from the sun, water, wind and biomass can help reduce Cambodia’s dependence on the imported fossil fuel, contribute to mitigate climate change and increase electricity access.
The good news is Cambodia has huge untapped clean energy potentials. The not-so-good news is harnessing such resources is often met with a number challenges. First, the awareness of clean energy remains low. The information on benefits of using clean energy is still limited. Secondly, there is a high risk perception among financiers and project developers. This couple with the lack of supportive policies from the government has led to a low investment in this sector. Thirdly, the technology to harness clean energy is still costly and is not readily available in the country.
The Forum was organized with the following objectives:
The Forum was chaired by H.E Ken Sereyrotha, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Ms. Julie Chung, Deputy Chief of Mission, USA Embassy in Cambodia. More than 70 participants representing the government, private sector, NGOs and the academic took part in the event.
In Cambodia, energy is a critical development challenge. Today, only 35% of the total population has access to grid electricity, leaving millions of rural population in the dark. Imported diesel fuel accounts for 90% for domestic electricity production and the electricity price is one of the highest in the world.
Energy shortage could hinder Cambodia’s economic growth and shy potential investors away. Promoting clean energy is one of the effective ways to address the problems. Renewable energy from the sun, water, wind and biomass can help reduce Cambodia’s dependence on the imported fossil fuel, contribute to mitigate climate change and increase electricity access.
The good news is Cambodia has huge untapped clean energy potentials. The not-so-good news is harnessing such resources is often met with a number challenges. First, the awareness of clean energy remains low. The information on benefits of using clean energy is still limited. Secondly, there is a high risk perception among financiers and project developers. This couple with the lack of supportive policies from the government has led to a low investment in this sector. Thirdly, the technology to harness clean energy is still costly and is not readily available in the country.
The Forum was organized with the following objectives:
- Review the progress of clean energy development in Cambodia
- Explore the options to further promote clean energy investment
- Provide the opportunity for companies to pitch their business idea to potential/customers investors
- Offer a networking opportunity for clean energy project developers and finances
The Forum was chaired by H.E Ken Sereyrotha, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Ms. Julie Chung, Deputy Chief of Mission, USA Embassy in Cambodia. More than 70 participants representing the government, private sector, NGOs and the academic took part in the event.
- Government: Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Industry, EdC, REF, EAC, National Council for Sustainable Development
- Development Partners: ADB, IFC, AFD, UNIDO, UNDP, JICA, USAID, Asia Foundation
- Financial Institution: ANZ Royal, FTB, TPC, Chamroeun Microfinance, Deloitte
- Energy Companies: Kamwork, Khmer Solar, Star 8, Solar Partner Asia, CominKhmer, SGFE, NRG Solution,
- Energy NGOs: GERES, SNV, NBP, Nexus, Picosol Cambodia, Good Neighbors, Entrepreneurs du Monde
- Research and Academic Institution: CDRI, RUPP, Zaman University
- Media: Cambodia Daily, Phnom Penh Post, Khmer Times, VOA,
| enrich_forum_on_sustainable_development_2015__final_as_of_sep_16_.pdf |
| speakers_and_moderators.docx |
| heng_pheakdeys_speech_for_efsd.docx |
