Electricity Consumption Rises 30% This Hot Season; EDC Calls for Energy Conservation

PHNOM PENH: Electricity consumption has increased by approximately 30% this hot season, prompting Electricité du Cambodge (EDC) to seek additional energy sources to meet demand. This was stated in an EDC notice issued on the evening of April 7, 2024.

According to the notice from Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), temperatures across Cambodia have risen sharply since the beginning of April 2024, causing electricity consumption from EDC’s supply system to increase by approximately 30% compared with last year. To meet this sharp rise in electricity demand, EDC must generate power at fuel-fired plants, which have significantly higher operating costs. To help conserve energy and reduce electricity expenses—which are high in the short term—and leave money available for other useful purposes, EDC is calling on all consumers to join in conserving energy.

EDC said that consumers’ efforts to save electricity not only reduce their own electricity bills, but also help lower EDC’s costs of generating power at high-cost plants. In particular, conservation can help prevent supply shortages if a large power-generation unit breaks down—a possibility under these extremely hot and dry weather conditions.