Original report from Phnom Penh
30 December 2008
Cambodian lawmakers on Tuesday passed draft legislation that would ensure financing for two Chinese hydroelectric companies, for projects costing more than $1.3 billion and expected to provide power to a fifth of the country.
The projects, from China National Machinery and the Michel Corporation, are part of ongoing efforts by the government to harness the energy of Cambodian waterways, from the Mekong to the Cardamom Mountains, totaling six projects, five Chinese and one from Vietnam, so far.
"The passage [of the laws] will allow these two companies to start their work immediately," said Suy Sem, minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, at the end of a National Assembly session Tuesday.
China National Machinery will invest in a dam on the Ta Tai river in the Cardamom Mountains of Koh Kong province, spending $540 million on a 37-year project, and Michel will spend $496 million over 30 years for a dam in Roeussey Chrum Krom, also in the Cardamoms.
"The investment is too long, and the selling price [of electricity to Electricite du Cambodge] is too expensive, compared to other countries," Yim Sovann, an opposition lawmaker for the Sam Rainsy Party, said during the National Assembly session.
Other critics warn the dams could severely impact the environment inan area of rare and abundant wildlife.
"This investment will destory them," said Gny San, deputy director ofthe NGO Forum of Cambodia, which has conducted a survey on the impactof hydroelectric power development in the country.
The projects, from China National Machinery and the Michel Corporation, are part of ongoing efforts by the government to harness the energy of Cambodian waterways, from the Mekong to the Cardamom Mountains, totaling six projects, five Chinese and one from Vietnam, so far.
"The passage [of the laws] will allow these two companies to start their work immediately," said Suy Sem, minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, at the end of a National Assembly session Tuesday.
China National Machinery will invest in a dam on the Ta Tai river in the Cardamom Mountains of Koh Kong province, spending $540 million on a 37-year project, and Michel will spend $496 million over 30 years for a dam in Roeussey Chrum Krom, also in the Cardamoms.
"The investment is too long, and the selling price [of electricity to Electricite du Cambodge] is too expensive, compared to other countries," Yim Sovann, an opposition lawmaker for the Sam Rainsy Party, said during the National Assembly session.
Other critics warn the dams could severely impact the environment inan area of rare and abundant wildlife.
"This investment will destory them," said Gny San, deputy director ofthe NGO Forum of Cambodia, which has conducted a survey on the impactof hydroelectric power development in the country.
5 comments:
May God bless the Khmer.
Khmer srolanh Khmer
Khmer leuk domkoeurng Khmer
Khmer chhup meul ngeay Khmer
Because we are the Khmers whose ancestors were the Angkorians, the most powerful rulers in SEA during the Khmer Empire era. God bless.
Qm
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OMG... $1.3 billion. You can just give about $100 to every Cambodian.
Oh yeah, and how far do you expect to go with 100 usd? There are 365 days per year.
What about electric? Who will want to live in a stone age?
Please don't listen to Ah Pleu-oversea. They have been mis-educated (big time), and they often got their degree from online without any work from school.
it is great to be mindful about the damage to the local environment. however, how are we going to produce more electricity for the growing cambodian economy? can't depend of neighboring countries to supply us electricity forever! that said, of course, they should study to make sure any dam is sustainable and not detrimental to the local people lives and wildlife and the environment as well. i think designating a certain potential area in cambodia for a mega-dam project is necessary as cambodia can't depend on foreign import forever and ever.
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