Saturday, 10 May 2008

In 2010, Electricity Fees Will Be Reduced to Riel 250

Posted on 9 May 2008.
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 559

“Phnom Penh: On 8 May, the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia was called into session again after a short vacation, to discuss and adopt the draft law on an agreement that the royal government of the Kingdom of Cambodia guarantees payment to the Power Synergy Company, which plans to build a coal-fueled power plant in Sihanoukville.

“The Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian Mr. Son Chhay stated that the construction of a coal-fueled power plant in Sihanoukville will affect the environment at the seaside a lot. Therefore, appropriate technology is required in order that it will not affect tourism.

“Mr. Yim Sovann, who is also an opposition party parliamentarian, said that he is very pleased with the creation of this law on electricity to serve the citizens’ interest. However previous plans to buy electricity form neighboring countries, such as from Thailand and Vietnam, has not yet led to a decrease in the fees, which in some places range between Riel 850 [approx. US$0.20] to Riel 4,000 [approx. US$1].

“He continued that the contract between this company and the royal government is not clear in this respect, which states a decreased fee of US$0.064 (or Riel 250). Mr. Yim Sovann stressed that if the US$0.064 or Riel 250 is the fee that the citizens have to pay, it is satisfactory information, but if it is the fee that the state has to pay, then the electricity fee is still high.
“The Funcinpec parliamentarian Mr. Monh Saphan also said that he wants to see the contract first, because he does not yet know how much responsibility the government takes on.
Moreover, he wants the power plant to use many Khmer laborers so that Khmer citizens get jobs.

“The Cambodian People’s Party parliamentarian Mr. Cheam Yeap said that electricity is very necessary, we cannot do without it. In ancient times, people could use candles or oil lamps, but in our era of modern technology, people cannot work with a lack of electricity.
“He went on to say that on behalf of the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, he has checked carefully with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Industry to know the advantages of signing this contract between the royal government and foreigners; we cannot act carelessly. The company that builds the coal-fueled power plant is a joint Khmer-Malaysian company.

“In a speech it was said that to implement a policy to encourage national economic development and the citizens’ poverty alleviation, the royal government tries to develop in all sectors, where also the development of electricity is important. The royal government has authorized continuous related developments, such as the Kirirom Hydro-Electric Plant I, the Kirirom Hydro-Electric Plant II, the Kamchay Hydro-Electric Plant, the Stung Atay Hydro-Electric Plan, and another project is being negotiated. Through such developments, the price of electricity will be reduced to US$0.064 or Riel 250 per kilowatt/hour in 2010 and 2012.”

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1636, 9.5.2008

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