Riggers work at height on a steel I-beam frame construction project along Hun Sen Boulevard in 2023. Post Staff
The “Accelerating Energy Efficiency in Cambodia’s Building Sector” project was launched on April 28, with funding from the UN Joint SDG Fund.
A joint project by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), it aims to advance energy efficiency in the Kingdom’s building sector by addressing behavioural, regulatory and market barriers, and facilitating green financing instruments for the private sector.
The building sector accounts for about 52 per cent of energy consumption in the Kingdom. With energy generation the second largest source of greenhouse gases, efforts are underway to integrate energy efficiency into design guidelines.
This includes the Building Energy Code, support for the development of Building Technical Regulations, ensuring policy alignment, and implementing the empanelment and rating of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).
In addition, the government endorsed a sub-decree on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), with ongoing work to create energy efficiency labels for air conditioners and refrigerators.
Energy ministry undersecretary of state Chhe Lidin (left) and UNDP resident representative Alissar Chaker, during the April 28 launch of the new project. UNDP
"Energy efficiency is at the centre of our efforts at the ministry. It is the most cost-effective tool for achieving increased energy security, reducing costs and creating a cleaner environment in line with our NEEP 2022-2040,” explained energy ministry undersecretary of state Chhe Lidin.
“The UNDP has been supporting the Royal Government to accelerate just energy transition in line with the Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality and its 2050 target”, added Alissar Chaker, UNDP resident representative.
She described the potential of energy efficiency as “low-hanging fruit” for optimising energy consumption and thereby reducing related cost and carbon emissions.
“The project is closely aligned with the National Energy Efficiency Policy 2022-2030,” she continued.
Maria Perdomo, UNCDF regional investment team lead for Asia and the Pacific Region, highlighted the importance of impact investment.
“Unlocking private capital for scaling/optimising investment into energy efficiency is a critical part of Cambodia’s development ambitions for sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth and its national climate action agenda,” she said.
“In this partnership between the Government of Cambodia and UN systems, the UNCDF is bringing its unique mandate and financial instruments to de-risk investments and catalyse market entry in areas that are often overlooked by traditional finance, thereby broadening impact,” she added.
