Cambodian Government Refutes False Reporting on Two Hydropower Projects

The Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia announced on September 9, 2026, their strong refutation of "false" reports concerning the Stung Ruessei Chrum Kandal and Stung Val Thom hydropower projects. The ministries' statement came in response to a report by Radio France Internationale (RFI), which cited Mongabay, alleging that deforestation and logging exceeding government authorization had occurred at the Stung Ruessei Chrum project (70 MW capacity) and the Stung Val Thom project (100 MW capacity). Both ministries asserted that the development of these two hydropower projects contributes to enhancing energy security, reducing reliance on electricity imports from neighboring countries, and supporting socio-economic development. They emphasized their strict adherence to and implementation of environmental and social impact assessment regulations. Relevant authorities have been conducting regular on-site inspections and monitoring of the progress, compliance with safety standards and technical specifications, and the implementation of environmental and social impact management measures at both project sites. The Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment clarified that the clearing of access roads, establishment of timber storage sites, quarrying, and red soil extraction within the project areas of Stung Val Thom and Stung Ruessei Chrum were authorized by the government. These activities are intended for the collection and transportation of forest products and by-products from the reservoir area, which constitute state revenue before submersion, and are solely for the construction work of the two hydropower projects. The ministries criticized Mongabay's reporting, stating it was based on conclusions with a political agenda, lacked thorough verification with technical data, maps, and clear documentation, and relied solely on satellite imagery without understanding the actual scope and boundaries of the approved project designs. Both ministries rejected such reporting that could lead to misunderstandings and negative perceptions regarding the development of hydropower projects, which are described as Cambodia's clean energy sources. They appealed to the media to adhere to the principles of transparency to ensure sustainable development in the energy sector. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local