Government Spokesperson: The decision to invest in a new Chinese made coal power plant was not influenced by China

Cambodia Royal Government Spokesperson, H.E. Phay Siphan stated in an interview conducted by A24 Agency that new Coal power plants in Sihanoukville will be installed by Chinese experts but managed and run by the well-trained Cambodian authority, adding that Chinese built coal power plants in Cambodia are not under the choice of China but the choice of Cambodian government as well as Cambodian investors. The coal power plant fits with Cambodia’s situation right now because Cambodia is a poor country and it needs a reliable energy source that is produced locally. He pointed out that even though Cambodia uses coal to make power, the plant will use modern technology to capture CO to protect the environment as well as to prevent global warming. Siphan said his country is not worried about going backward by using coal to make energy because some renewable energy sources like solar are not reliable yet, they are not efficient in a tropical climate and Cambodia cannot afford the investment.