Annual BESS price for energy storage in Phnom Penh

BESS can provide much needed grid stabilisation, reliability, decarbonisation while also reducing imported power. As battery storage demand and investment continues to grows, Cambodia is well-positioned to build a reliable, low cost, sustainable energy system for the future.

It is nonetheless still eye-opening to note just how big those differences in cost are. The average for a turnkey system in China including 1-hour, 2-hour and 4-hour duration BESS was just US$101/kWh. In the US, the average was US$236/kWh and in Europe US$275/kWh, more than double China's average cost.

Cambodia's energy sector has been a tremendous success story over the last 20 years. From experiencing frequent power cuts and limited regional electricity access in 2004 to a stable grid in the capital, Phnom Penh, and a village electrification rate of over 98%.

However, the intermittent nature of solar energy benefits from robust storage solutions to store excess generation and provide power during low solar output periods, like the dry season. The Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy, Keo Rattanak, is targeting 70% renewable energy by 2030.

Renewable energy, particularly solar, holds great promise for Cambodia. However, the intermittent nature of solar energy benefits from robust storage solutions to store excess generation and provide power during low solar output periods, like the dry season.

Domestic energy production has been increasing at a rate of 8% per year since 2010. As Cambodia continues its journey toward sustainable economic development, energy security and sustainability are at the forefront of national priorities.