Cambodia Deploys Mobile Substations to Bolster Power Supply for Tourism and Industry

Electricité du Cambodge (EDC) has successfully completed testing and commissioned its second mobile substation, a 115/22 kilovolt, 30 MVA unit, at the South Siem Reap substation in Sambuor commune, Siem Reap city, Siem Reap province, on September 11 and 12, 2026. Additionally, the first mobile substation, a 230/22 kilovolt, 30 MVA unit, was commissioned at the Baray substation in Baray district, Kampong Thom province. These mobile substations are deployed to address urgent electricity consumption needs, enhancing the capacity and efficiency of power supply. The mobile substation in South Siem Reap will serve as a new, proximate power source to the city center, improving supply efficiency and reducing energy losses. This is crucial as the permanent substation, funded by a loan from the German development bank KfW, is still under construction and expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Similarly, the mobile substation in Baray will provide a new electricity source for residents, factories, and agro-industrial enterprises in the area and its surroundings. Previously, these regions relied on the Kampong Thom substation, located about 50km away for Baray and Tangkok districts, and approximately 100km for Santuk and Sandan districts in Kampong Thom province, and Chamkar Leu district in Kampong Cham province. These areas are experiencing growing electricity demand. The permanent Baray substation is planned for construction in approximately four years, financed by a loan from the French Development Agency (AFD). Once both permanent substations are operational, the mobile units will be redeployed to other locations experiencing significant load increases, requiring about two weeks for relocation. They can also serve as rapid replacements for existing substations during outages, with a deployment time of only two to three days. Source: CEN Cambodia