German companies consider investing in local solar sector

A host of companies from Germany showed interest in Cambodia’s clean energy sector during a conference on solar power held yesterday in Phnom Penh.

With the government having recently unveiled its goal of having 20 percent of locally-produced energy come from solar farms, the sector is attracting an increasing number of foreign players.

During yesterday’s conference on industrial and commercial solar energy, held at Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh, several German companies introduced their products and services to the government, NGOs, and factory owners.

The event was organised by the Delegation of Germany Industry and Commerce in Myanmar (AHK) and supported by the GIZ Project Development Program, the Global Business Network, the German Business Group Cambodia, and the European Chamber of Commerce (Eurocham).

The conference aimed to promote renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, showcase sustainable energy solutions, and contribute to climate protection, the organisers said.

German firms Enebar, Dhybrid, 21st Century Clean Energy and 4i Capital, among others, were represented at the event.

The conference is part of the German Energy Solution Initiative – Energy Solutions Made in Germany, a programme supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Participants at the conference discussed the Kingdom’s renewable energy policy and mostly focused on the opportunities and challenges to develop the sector.

Martin Klose, delegate of AHK Myanmar, said the conference will open the door for Germany to increase investment in Cambodia.

“We have been tasked with promoting German trade and investment in Cambodia, so we are holding a lot of events in Germany to raise awareness about Cambodia and put the Kingdom in the map of German investors,” Mr Klose said.

AHK Myanmar represents German trade and investment in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Victor Jona, director-general of energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, told reporters that the government welcomes all investors looking to develop projects in the solar sector.

“We support these initiatives because clean energy like solar power does not harm the environment. The government is working to promote these types of investment,” Mr Jona said after the conference.

Mr Jona touted Cambodia’s potential in solar, pointing out that the Kingdom has a very high number of peak sunlight hours.

According to Mr Jona, with only two solar farms in operation, Cambodia generates 90 megawatts from solar. However, by 2022, seven new solar facilities will be running, bringing that figure up to 410 MW.