Photo 1. Group Photo of High-Level Consultative Meeting with Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) Cambodia.
On 9th of September 2025, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) successfully conducted a High-Level Consultative Meeting with the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Cambodia and the Electricite du Cambodge (EDC). Led by Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of the APAEC and Strategic Partnership Department, the representatives of ACE held the first High-Level Consultative Meeting at the head office of MME Cambodia in Phnom Penh. The meeting was attended by a total of 22 representatives from the ministry, Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC), and Electricite du Cambodge (EDC) with the attendance of the Undersecretary of State of Ministry of Mines and Energy Cambodia, H.E. Victor Jona.
The purpose of the meeting was to seek high-level directions for the development of feasibility study (FS) of the priority cross-border interconnection projects under the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to better align with national energy policies and plans.
Photo 2. Discussion During the High-Level Consultative Meeting with MME Cambodia, led by H.E. Victor Jona, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) Cambodia.
In this meeting, ACE provided an update on APG-related projects, highlighting the committed funding from development partners, including the World Bank-supported “Accelerating Sustainable Energy Transition Multi-Programmatic Approach (ASET-MPA)”, the funding support from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), to support the feasibility studies for the APG interconnection projects. H.E. Victor Jona expressed appreciation for the support extended by ACE and its partners in advancing cross-border interconnection projects in Cambodia, underscoring the importance of Cambodia-Lao PDR interconnection to enable higher renewable energy mix in Cambodia.
Strengthening this initiative, ACE stands ready to facilitate the urgent needs and priorities of Cambodia to enhance cross-border interconnection capacity with neighbouring countries. Formalising the effort, H.E. Victor Jona welcomed the facilitation of ACE in bridging the power utilities’ priorities and needs to develop the feasibility study of identified priority APG interconnection projects through the secured support from the development partners. The mandate from MME Cambodia strengthens ACE’s position as a regional facilitator for the development of APG, further operationalising the envisioned role of APG Secretariat under the APG Enhanced MOU.
The vital role of APG is further emphasised by Cambodia’s renewable energy (RE) target. Cambodia is aiming a 70% RE share in the overall energy mix to tackle the periodic power outage issue and to realise the country’s energy transition. The target includes the development of 24 power generation projects comprises of solar power, wind –which previously was not part of the country’s RE planning–, hydropower and pumped storage, and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Given the ambitious number and the demand trend in Cambodia, MME expressed their interest to also integrate their RE generations with APG, ensuring system stability and opening clean energy accessibility with neighbouring countries.
Photo 3. Group Photo of High-Level Consultative Meeting with Electricite du Cambodge (EDC).
Following the High-Level Consultative Meeting with the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Cambodia, ACE held a meeting with Electricite du Cambodge (EDC) at the EDC Headquarter in Phnom Penh. Beni Suryadi and ACE representatives met directly with Dr. Praing Chulasa, Managing Director of EDC, accompanied with Rann Seihakkiry, Deputy Director of Corporate Planning and Projects Department. The purpose of the meeting was to share ACE’s proposed support for APG interconnection projects feasibility study development, as well as identifying the potential feasibility studies for Cambodian interconnection projects with neighbouring countries.
Photo 4. Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of APAEC and Strategic Partnership Department of ACE, with Dr. Praing Chulasa, Managing Director of EDC.
Moving forward, ACE is committed to facilitating coordination among the power utilities, policymakers, regulators and other relevant partners to ensure the timely development of the feasibility studies. Through the guidance and directives from the ASEAN Member States and support from development partners, ACE stands committed to mobilise development and technical assistance to ensure efficiency in delivering the broader goals of the ASEAN Power Grid.
