Involuntary Resettlement

CAM: Greater Mekong Subregion Transmission Project
Resettlement Plan

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cambodia Transmission Project [ PDF ] aims to

• promote the provision of sustainable and reliable electricity at affordable prices to consumers in Phnom Penh and along the transmission corridor, and
• enhance accessibility to power to the poor by promoting a pro-poor policy environment in the sector. The project area consists of the provinces of Takeo and Kampong Speu and the municipality of Phnom Penh.

The project will link to a similar project in Viet Nam to allow the importation of power from Viet Nam. The proposed route for the transmission line is on the Bassac River floodplain, which forms part of the Mekong lowlands. Settlements are characterized by villages of 50 to 250 households located on land marginally higher than surrounding paddy fields, either on an isolated feature or along roadsides.

Takeo, with a population of 39,000, is the only large township within the vicinity of the route, excluding Phnom Penh. Approximately 95% (365 hectares) of the right-of-way is privately owned land, but few landholders actually hold any form of land title because of Cambodia’s recent history. The average rural landholding size is 0.4 hectare, with most holdings consisting of a house block and paddy area.

The project will require land acquisition for the construction of two substations, and of any necessary access roads as well as towers and foundations for the transmission lines. Except for land required for towers, the land within the right-of-way can continue to be used for agricultural purposes. The poorest affected and vulnerable affected people will be assisted to improve their socioeconomic status.

A resettlement plan [ PDF ] has been prepared to provide for compensation, resettlement, and livelihood restoration related to land acquisition affecting approximately 634 households.