China donates $3 million worth of eco-friendly equipment
China has donated $3 million worth of environmentally friendly, low-carbon equipment to Cambodia.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian and Minister of Environment Say Samal attended a handover ceremony this week between the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China and the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia to mark the donation of environmentally friendly, low-carbon equipment.
Wentian said that China has always been concerned about supporting Cambodia’s environmental protection. The cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the environmental authorities of the two countries has provided strong guidance for bilateral cooperation.
The equipment, which includes solar street lights and power-generation systems donated by China is said to be technologically advanced, economical and practical. China believes that it will make due contributions to Cambodia’s environmental protection and that this will become a new starting point for environmental protection cooperation between the two countries.
Samal encouraged all stakeholders to participate in activities that raise environmental awareness and strengthen the capacity to prevent and reduce climate change, as well as keeping the provinces clean and sustainable.
Cambodia will make full use of the equipment handed over, giving priority to improving production and living conditions in Sihanoukville and surrounding areas, and strive to raise the environmental awareness of the Cambodian people. The Cambodian side will work with China to promote continuous progress in bilateral environmental cooperation.
The donation was made as part of the MoU on cooperation in a low-carbon emissions pilot project in Preah Sihanouk province that was signed last year between Cambodia and China.
The equipment arrived in late November and includes 2,800 sets of solar street lights, 200 sets of photovoltaic power generation systems and 200 electric motorcycles, and is part of the China-Cambodia low-carbon pilot cooperation project.
More and more projects are being approved in the renewable energy sector, aiding the Kingdom’s efforts in becoming greener. Experts say that this is a step in the right direction but more still needs to be done.
Bridget McIntosh, Energylab director of emerging markets, said: “Wind and solar are cheaper than coal and far cheaper than gas [even when you take out the gas pipeline and import terminal infrastructure costs].
Thai analysis has shown that increasing solar and wind generation resulted in a net system cost reduction and also increased the resilience and reliability of their electricity system via a diversity of supply, greater investment in the network and more backup options such as battery storage.
McIntosh noted, “It’s cheaper, cleaner, supports local jobs and investments and supports energy independence. What’s not to like? The Kingdom needs to have a clear renewable energy target – companies are queuing up to invest and develop solar projects in Cambodia but they can’t do it without agreements to [sell] their output to the EDC [Electricite du Cambodge].”
She added: “Thankfully, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, supported by EDC, the Electricity Authority of Cambodia and the Australian government are leading the development of a renewable energy master plan to be incorporated into power development planning. It is likely to be ready in January next year and we hope it will pave the way to dramatically increasing the ambition for solar and wind in Cambodia.”
Source : khmertimeskh
