Approximately 65% of the Cambodian population still lacks access to reliable electricity.
They are more likely to be poor and have poorer health status resulting from this situation. In
addition, electricity is commonly cited as a major barrier for business and industrial
development. To sustain economic growth, reduce poverty and increase the welfare of the
people, and reduce air pollution from oil, coal and traditional energy, Cambodia requires more
efficient and clean energy generated from hydropower plants. However, the construction of
hydropower plants can result in, serious social and environmental consequences in the long
run. Although hydroelectricity can be viewed by some as a sub-optimal solution, it is
arguably the best option.
This research is based on a variety of sources and techniques such as strategic planning tools
and analyses from economic, political, sociological, and environmental perspectives to
analyse the economic benefits and to compare these to the social and environmental costs of
dam construction.
The demand for electricity has increasedsignificantly and has a very strong association with
economic growth in the last decades. To date, electricity is mostly generated from imported
energy which is expensive and polluting. Hydroelectricity accounts for 3.3% of total
electricity produced across the country and it continues to increase which results in the
decline in the volume of imported energy and CO2 emissions. This has a positive implication
on poverty reduction, equality and health. However, in the long run, the construction of dams
along the Mekong River and its tributary will reduce the amount of fish which is the main diet
of Cambodian people and lead to relocation of people.