Clean Energy Week 2025
Summit Highlights
EnergyLab Asia’s Country Director Natharoun Ngo Son kicked-off this year’s jam-packed agenda, offering an overview of Cambodia’s ambitious and progressive clean energy journey. He highlighted the Kingdom’s commendable shift from being a strong domestic producer of clean energy to a major regional exporter to key markets, including Singapore. Natharoun pledged that EnergyLab will continue to bang the drum to promote Cambodia’s efforts on the regional stage to “walk the talk” and transform plans into “concrete actions”, while accelerating the clean transition. Evidence of this sits in the recent partnership with the Laos government to launch a clean energy conference and strengthen Southeast Asia supply chains. He said reaping the full benefits of unlocking the clean energy economy are dependent on three pillars: electricity system transition, leveraging clean energy to accelerate the growth of existing and new industries, and carving out a share of the booming clean energy manufacturing industry.
Enrique Gaveglia, UNDP resident representative, highlighted the need for urgent action regarding Cambodia's clean energy transition, with the nation's GDP facing a 2.5 percent cut by 2030 if measures are not taken. The nation’s clean energy transition will also play a key role in Cambodia’s graduation from least developed country by 2030, he said during his opening remarks. However, with this graduation comes reduced concessions and stiffer competition, making sustainable and resilient energy development crucial. Mobilising a massive amount of finance to secure a smooth clean energy transition is also needed, Enrique said, pledging that UNDP will continue to help Cambodia source alternative funding, green financing and digital innovation. “We will strengthen our relationship with EnergyLab, focusing on the funding concept,” he said. “We’re all here because we chose to be in the same room and share our experiences.”
“Cambodia can count on Australia as a long-term partner on this journey,” Australian Ambassador Derek Yip said during his opening remarks. He made a strong pledge to work with Cambodia to secure green financing and help investors de-risk and scale up. Offering an overview of Australia’s power landscape, Ambassador Yip stated the country’s plans to become a renewable energy superpower by 2030, while powering the next generation of industries - an ambition driven by AUD $60 billion and a vision to host COP31. The Ambassador threw the spotlight on various energy initiatives Australia is supporting Cambodia’s energy transition with, including shaping career paths for women to become leaders in renewable energy and increasing access to clean water. In a strong call for action, he said, “We need joint action, that’s what Clean Energy Week is all about. I encourage all stakeholders to collaborate, innovate and invest in Cambodia’s clean energy future to build a brighter, greener and more energy secure future for all of us.”
The clean energy transition isn’t only about the environment, it provides a strategic opportunity to futureproof Cambodia’s economy and secure the country’s place in the global marketplace, H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, said during his opening remarks. “For decades, energy has been the engine of economic growth, but the landscape is shifting,” he added, stating as aspirations for a higher quality of life grow, providing smart and sustainable energy solutions is no longer an alternative, it’s “imperative”. Demand from global brands has also shifted, with clean energy being injected into every factory, supply chain and policy. “We need to ensure we are future-ready and globally competitive to make made in Cambodia products more attractive.” The minister also raised the need to not only invest in technology, but to invest in people. “They are the backbone of this transition. That is why we are working closely with education institutions to build a skilled, future-ready workforce.”
About EnergyLab
Founded in 2018, EnergyLab Cambodia is an innovative and efficient not-for-profit organisation working to support the growth of Clean Energy. Since our establishment, we have been recognised by our partners as independent, insightful and resourceful, with a transparent agenda to support Clean Energy.
Address: G1101, GIA Tower, Sopheak Mongkul Street, Koh Pict City, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Website: https://energylab.asia/
For media inquiries, please contact:
Enrique Gaveglia, UNDP resident representative, highlighted the need for urgent action regarding Cambodia's clean energy transition, with the nation's GDP facing a 2.5 percent cut by 2030 if measures are not taken. The nation’s clean energy transition will also play a key role in Cambodia’s graduation from least developed country by 2030, he said during his opening remarks. However, with this graduation comes reduced concessions and stiffer competition, making sustainable and resilient energy development crucial. Mobilising a massive amount of finance to secure a smooth clean energy transition is also needed, Enrique said, pledging that UNDP will continue to help Cambodia source alternative funding, green financing and digital innovation. “We will strengthen our relationship with EnergyLab, focusing on the funding concept,” he said. “We’re all here because we chose to be in the same room and share our experiences.”
“Cambodia can count on Australia as a long-term partner on this journey,” Australian Ambassador Derek Yip said during his opening remarks. He made a strong pledge to work with Cambodia to secure green financing and help investors de-risk and scale up. Offering an overview of Australia’s power landscape, Ambassador Yip stated the country’s plans to become a renewable energy superpower by 2030, while powering the next generation of industries - an ambition driven by AUD $60 billion and a vision to host COP31. The Ambassador threw the spotlight on various energy initiatives Australia is supporting Cambodia’s energy transition with, including shaping career paths for women to become leaders in renewable energy and increasing access to clean water. In a strong call for action, he said, “We need joint action, that’s what Clean Energy Week is all about. I encourage all stakeholders to collaborate, innovate and invest in Cambodia’s clean energy future to build a brighter, greener and more energy secure future for all of us.”
The clean energy transition isn’t only about the environment, it provides a strategic opportunity to futureproof Cambodia’s economy and secure the country’s place in the global marketplace, H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, said during his opening remarks. “For decades, energy has been the engine of economic growth, but the landscape is shifting,” he added, stating as aspirations for a higher quality of life grow, providing smart and sustainable energy solutions is no longer an alternative, it’s “imperative”. Demand from global brands has also shifted, with clean energy being injected into every factory, supply chain and policy. “We need to ensure we are future-ready and globally competitive to make made in Cambodia products more attractive.” The minister also raised the need to not only invest in technology, but to invest in people. “They are the backbone of this transition. That is why we are working closely with education institutions to build a skilled, future-ready workforce.”
About EnergyLab
Founded in 2018, EnergyLab Cambodia is an innovative and efficient not-for-profit organisation working to support the growth of Clean Energy. Since our establishment, we have been recognised by our partners as independent, insightful and resourceful, with a transparent agenda to support Clean Energy.
Address: G1101, GIA Tower, Sopheak Mongkul Street, Koh Pict City, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Website: https://energylab.asia/
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Email: media@energylab.asia