Cambodia : National Solar Park Project

Sovereign Project | 51182-001

The proposed National Solar Park Project will support the construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Cambodia, and address the country's need to: (i) expand low-cost power generation, (ii) diversify the power generation mix and increase the percentage of clean energy in its generation mix in line with its stated greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets, and (iii) expand the use of competitive tenders and other global best practices in the sector. The project is the first of its kind in Cambodia, and builds on lessons learnt from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Private Sector Operations Department's financing of a 10-megawatt (MW) solar farm at Bavet, Svay Rieng Province in 2016. The project will be included in the country operations business plan (COBP), 2018-2020 to be issued later in 2017, and the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has formally requested financing for the project from ADB.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Gill, Anthony Robert
    Southeast Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Cambodia
  • Sector
    • Energy
Project Name National Solar Park Project
Project Number 51182-001
Country / Economy Cambodia
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Loan
Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0645-CAM: National Solar Park Project
Strategic Climate Fund - SREP US$ 3.00 million
Loan 3789-CAM: National Solar Park Project
Concessional ordinary capital resources lending US$ 7.64 million
Loan 8357-CAM: National Solar Park Project
Strategic Climate Fund - SREP US$ 11.00 million
TA 9736-CAM: Capacity Development in the Electric Utility Industry
Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund US$ 500,000.00
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution

Gender Some gender elements
Description

The proposed National Solar Park Project will support the construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Cambodia, and address the country's need to: (i) expand low-cost power generation, (ii) diversify the power generation mix and increase the percentage of clean energy in its generation mix in line with its stated greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets, and (iii) expand the use of competitive tenders and other global best practices in the sector. The project is the first of its kind in Cambodia, and builds on lessons learnt from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Private Sector Operations Department's financing of a 10-megawatt (MW) solar farm at Bavet, Svay Rieng Province in 2016. The project will be included in the country operations business plan (COBP), 2018-2020 to be issued later in 2017, and the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has formally requested financing for the project from ADB. The government has also requested ADB's assistance to access cofinancing for the project through a combination of concessional loan and grant resources from the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF).

The project will support the national electricity utility, EDC, to construct a solar power park near the Phnom Penh demand center (Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang Provinces ) and a transmission interconnection system to the nearest grid substation (GS6) selected by EDC. The Park will consist of 150-200 hectares of land, fencing, drainage, roads, and plant buildings, and will be able to accommodate at least 100 MW of PV plant capacity. The transmission interconnection system expansion will include a solar park substation with 2 transformers (one additional for redundancy), switchgear, controls, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system compatible with the EDC's SCADA requirements; a dedicated 3,040-kilometer 115-kilovolt transmission line between the solar park and GS6; and a new bay with switchgear at GS6. Further, EDC will tender out the first solar plant to be established within the solar park to the private sector and execute a long-term power purchase agreement. The tender will be for a 3,050 MW solar PV generating plant, to include crystalline-silicon solar arrays and mounting structures, power conversion units (inverters and associated transformers), direct current and alternating current plant cabling, power controls, and SCADA. The development of the 3,050 MW plant will be financed by the private sector through private sector equity and commercial debt.

Under a transaction advisory services (TAS) agreement that has been signed between the two institutions, ADB's Office of Public-Private Partnership (OPPP) will assist EDC to design and conduct a competitive tender for procuring the first power plant (3,050 MW) that would be built by the private sector, and located within the park. As transaction advisor, ADB will perform project due diligence (including legal, technical, financial, environmental and social due diligence) and market sounding, prepare the feasibility study, assist the development of tender documents and power purchase agreements, and support the review and selection process. In this role, ADB will bring to bear its considerable experience with the development of solar parks in India.

The project will have two outputs: (i) solar park, transmission facilities and supporting infrastructure constructed; and (ii) EDC's capacity for integration of renewable energy, including advanced technologies such as energy storage, into the national grid strengthened. These outputs will result in the outcome: solar energy power generation in Cambodia increased. The project is aligned with the following impact: Cost of electricity in Cambodia lowered.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

ADB's country partnership strategy (CPS) for 2014-2018, approved in November 2014, reflects the priorities set up in the Rectangular Strategy Phase III, National Development Plan, 2013-2018. The CPS, 2014-2018 identifies two strategic pillars that underpin ADB's forward-looking activities in Cambodia: (i) rural-urban-regional linkages, and (ii) human and social development. Public Sector Management acts as a facilitating cross-cutting strategic pillar. The energy sector directly supports outcomes under the first pillar, but has not been identified as a core sector in the CPS as a pipeline of energy projects, supported by other development partners, has been expected to improve supply and coverage and reduce costs, and as the CPS needs to remain selective in the scope of the strategy and selection of sectors.

Going forward, ADB, under the first strategic pillar of the CPS, 20142018 rural-urban-regional linkages, is adapting to the evolving requirements in the energy sector of Cambodia and is piloting increased access to clean energy, particularly solar power, through on-grid and off-grid applications. A transaction technical assistance (TA), Increased Access to Sustainable Energy, is scheduled for 2018 to take stock of the sector, and examine further investment opportunities in rural and renewable energy under the next CPS. ADB may also support the government to develop a comprehensive energy sector strategy, including greater use of renewable energy and energy efficiency under the transaction TA.

Building on the Bavet project, the National Solar Park Project aims to demonstrate the ability of large-scale solar parks to improve the electricity supply, while also providing technical benefits to the national grid , and substitute for planned fossil-fuel and hydropower generation in the future. This project will build appreciation for the costs, operational requirements, and actual performance of solar PV plants, which will inform further policy development, and give EDC knowledge and experience structuring a transparent, competitive procurement for private sector-led power projects and negotiating with private developers. These early projects will also build experience among grid operators on management of the variable power produced by solar PV projects. Under the regional TA, Demonstration of An Assisted Broker Model for Transfer of Low Carbon Technologies to Asia and the Pacific, a pre-feasibility study of the solar park has been prepared.

Impact

Cost of electricity in Cambodia lowered (Cambodia Industrial Development Policy, 20152025: Market Orientation and Enabling Environment for Industrial Development).

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Increase in private sector investments in solar photovoltaic plants facilitated

Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Solar park and transmission interconnection constructed

Capacity of Electricite du Cambodge in solar power plant construction and operation, project design and supervision, grid integration, and competitive procurement strengthened

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Nation-wide
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects

During the preparation of the feasibility study, the team will review the environmental aspect of the project and will prepare the necessary safeguards documents (EIA/IEE/EMP). The EIA/IEE and EMP will be based on the feasibility study preliminary engineering design and cover all project components, the solar park, transmission line and power plant. The EIA/IEE will address key issues identified during the pre-feasibility study, including flood and climate change risks, biodiversity conservation (in particular potential impacts on bat and bird species and critical habitats), pollution and greenhouse gas prevention and abatement, social assessment, physical cultural resources, community and occupational health and safety. More detailed recommendations on the scope of the EIA/IEE are included in the pre-feasibility study.

The EMP will identify the proposed mitigation and monitoring measures and reporting requirements for all potential impacts and risks identified in the EIA/IEE. It should include contractor specifications and costs for environmental mitigation and management and for independent environment monitoring and evaluation. The EIA/IEE will meet the requirements under the Equator Principles III and comply with the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) and the Royal Government of Cambodia Sub-decree No. 72 ANRK.BK on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (1999).

Involuntary Resettlement The proposed project will require at least 150-200 hectares from public, private or communal land in a yet-to-be determined site located in two districtsThpong district in Kampong Speu province and Samaki Meanchey district in Kampong Chhnang province. Land acquisition and/or restricted land use may also be required for construction of a substation and transmission line to evacuate power from the solar park to EDC's main grid. EDC's final selection of the solar park will take in to consideration land owners' willingness to sell without resorting to compulsory acquisition. A resettlement plan is expected to be required and potentially a resettlement framework. The Involuntary Resettlement Categorization will be reassessed during the design phase.
Indigenous Peoples

The proposed project does not have the potential to directly or indirectly affect the dignity, human rights, livelihood systems, or culture of indigenous peoples. This will be reassessed during the preparation of the feasibility study.

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design

The project's primary stakeholders are Electricite du Cambodge (EDC), Ministry of Mines and Energy, Electricity Authority of Cambodia, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Speu administration offices, associated districts, communes and villages within the project site and affected households (including those who agree to sell land and/or to exchange for other land or support). The EDC and Ministry of Mines and Energy defined the project through a public-private partnership concession and will ultimately select the project site. Local government officials and local households will participate in project siting through the land sale negotiation process. Other stakeholders will include private sector firms who will bid on the solar generation plants, and will potentially be selected to sell electricity to the grid and provide related services.

To ensure an accurate and participatory due diligence, and to reduce conflicts with affected people and other stakeholders, the project will employ a multi-stakeholder engagement approach involving all concerned groups through local consultations and dialogues as early as possible. Involuntary Resettlement (IR) and Indigenous Peoples (IP) due diligence and preparation of related safeguards instruments as required under ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), will be conducted.

During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services (Awarded) one package for project implementation consultant.
Procurement (Awarded) one package for engineering, procurement, and construction for the solar park and transmission interconnection.
Responsible ADB Officer Gill, Anthony Robert
Responsible ADB Department Southeast Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Cambodia Resident Mission
Executing Agencies
Electricite Du Cambodge
Timetable
Concept Clearance 08 Sep 2017
Fact Finding 07 May 2018 to 11 May 2018
MRM 03 Oct 2018
Approval 23 May 2019
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 27 May 2019

Grant 0645-CAM

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
23 May 2019 28 Jun 2019 18 Sep 2019 30 Jun 2022 30 Jun 2023 -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 5.13 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 18 May 2023 0.00 2.03 68%
Counterpart 2.13 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 3.00 18 May 2023 0.00 1.11 37%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Loan 3789-CAM

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
23 May 2019 28 Jun 2019 18 Sep 2019 30 Jun 2022 30 Jun 2023 -
Financing Plan Loan Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 7.64 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 7.64 18 May 2023 3.57 0.00 47%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 18 May 2023 2.36 0.00 31%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Loan 8357-CAM

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
23 May 2019 28 Jun 2019 18 Sep 2019 30 Jun 2022 30 Jun 2023 -
Financing Plan Loan Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 11.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 18 May 2023 0.00 7.31 66%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 11.00 18 May 2023 0.00 4.01 36%

TA 9736-CAM

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
23 May 2019 22 Jun 2019 22 Jun 2019 30 Jun 2021 30 Jun 2022 22 Aug 2022
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
0.00 500,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 500,000.00 18 May 2023 492,773.55
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
National Solar Park Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Nov 2022
National Solar Park Project: Capacity Development in the Electric Utility Industry Final Report Consultants' Reports Jun 2022
National Solar Park Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2021) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2022
National Solar Park Project: Updated Project Administration Manual Project/Program Administration Manual May 2022
Amendment to the Grant Agreement for Grant 0645-CAM: National Solar Park Project Grant Agreement Dec 2021
Amendment to the Loan Agreement (Ordinary Operations [Concessional]) for Loan 3789-CAM: National Solar Park Project Loan Agreement (Ordinary Resources) Dec 2021
Amendment to the Loan Agreement for Loan 8357-CAM: National Solar Park Project Loan Agreement (Ordinary Resources) Dec 2021
National Solar Park Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (18 September 2019-31 December 2020) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2021
Project Agreement for Loan 3789-CAM and 8357-CAM, and Grant 0645-CAM: National Solar Park Project Project/Program Agreements Jun 2019
Loan Agreement (Ordinary Operations [Concessional]) for Loan 3789-CAM: National Solar Park Project Loan Agreement (Ordinary Resources) Jun 2019
Loan Agreement (ADB Strategic Climate Fund) for Loan 8357-CAM: National Solar Park Project Loan Agreement (Ordinary Resources) Jun 2019
Grant Agreement (ADB Strategic Climate Fund) for Grant 0645-CAM: National Solar Park Project Grant Agreement Jun 2019
National Solar Park Project: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Apr 2019
National Solar Park Project: Capacity Development in the Electric Utility Industry Technical Assistance Report Technical Assistance Reports Apr 2019
National Solar Park Project: Project Administration Manual Project/Program Administration Manual Apr 2019
National Solar Park Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Sep 2017

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
National Solar Park Project: Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2022) Social Monitoring Reports Apr 2023
National Solar Park Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (July-December 2022) Environmental Monitoring Reports Apr 2023
National Solar Park Project: 230kV Transmission Line Sections 1, 2, 3 and Access Road Updated Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Mar 2023
National Solar Park Project: Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2022) Social Monitoring Reports Oct 2022
National Solar Park Project: Updated Environmental Management Plan Environmental Management Plans Oct 2022
National Solar Park Project: Updated Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Oct 2022
National Solar Park Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (January-June 2022) Environmental Monitoring Reports Jul 2022
National Solar Park Project: Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2021) Social Monitoring Reports Feb 2022
National Solar Park Project: Environmental Monitoring Report (July-December 2021) Environmental Monitoring Reports Feb 2022
National Solar Park Project: 230kV Transmission Line Sections 1, 2, and 3 Safeguards Due Diligence Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Jan 2022
National Solar Park Project: Semestral Environmental Monitoring Report (January-June 2021) Environmental Monitoring Reports Dec 2021
National Solar Park Project: Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2021) Social Monitoring Reports Nov 2021
National Solar Park Project: 230kV Transmission Line-Section III Updated Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Sep 2021
National Solar Park Project: 230kV Transmission Line Sections 1 and 2 Safeguards Due Diligence Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Aug 2021
National Solar Park Project: Transmission Line Route 230kV from GS6 Substation to Solar Park Substation Subproject Updated Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Jun 2021
National Solar Park Project: Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Mar 2019
National Solar Park Project: Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework Resettlement Frameworks Mar 2019
National Solar Park Project: Power Transmission Line Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Mar 2019
National Solar Park Project: Draft Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Sep 2018
National Solar Park Project: Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework Resettlement Frameworks Sep 2018

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

  • 15 Nov 2022 | News Release

    ADB-supported National Solar Park in Cambodia Connects to Grid

    A partnership between ADB and Electricite du Cambodge to develop a National Solar Park reached a milestone with the park’s first 60 MW solar photovoltaic power generation plant connecting to the national grid. 
  • 05 Sep 2019 | News Release

    ADB-Supported Solar Project in Cambodia Achieves Lowest-Ever Tariff in ASEAN

    The auction for 60 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity conducted by Electricite du Cambodge (EDC), Cambodia’s national electricity utility, has led to the lowest bid of 3.877 cents (US dollar) per kilowatt hour by...
  • 24 May 2019 | News Release

    ADB to Help Build 100-MW Solar Park in Cambodia

    ADB has approved a $7.64 million loan to support the construction of a 100-MW solar power park in Cambodia, which will help the country develop renewable energy resources, diversify its energy mix, and improve the competitiveness..

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Loan 3789-CAM (COL), Loan 8357-CAM (SCF), and Grant 0645-CAM (EF): National Solar Park Project [ADB-EDC-EQUIPMENT-2022] Invitation for Bids Closed
Capacity Development in the Electric Utility Industry (Consulting Firm) Firm - Consulting Closed
Loan 3789 (COL), Loan 8357 (SCF), and Grant 0645 (SCF)-CAM: National Solar Park Project (W01) Invitation for Bids Closed
51182-CAM: National Solar Park Project Advance Notice Active
Project Implementation Consultant Firm - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Capacity Development Technical Assistance 9736 27 May 2020 THAI MM LIMITED(THAILAND) | 90 CW Tower, 41st Floor, Unit No., 65/15 162 Rama 9 Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 103 Thailand 10310 Electricite Du Cambodge 419,000.00
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION CONSULTANT Loan 3789 23 Mar 2020 NEWJEC INC & CHEANG ENGI CONSULTANTS (JV) | 3-20, OSAKA, JAPAN JAPAN Electricite Du Cambodge 1,440,490.00 1,440,490.00
PLANT-DESIGN SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PA RK INFRASTRUCTURE Grant 0645 04 Mar 2020 XIAN ELECTRIC ENGINEERING CO. LTD. | NO. 7 TANGXING ROAD XI'AN PRC CHINA PEOPLE'SREP.OF Electricite Du Cambodge 1,942,390.53

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
National Solar Park Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Nov 2022