Phnom Kravanh National Park: A Potential Source of 20% of Cambodia’s Electricity

• Sommana Yan
• 21 March 2023
• Local News
• 2589 Views

Phnom Kravanh National Park, located in Thmor Bang district of Koh Kong, Oral of Kompong Speu, and Veal Veng and Phnom Krovanh districts of Pursat, has been declared as a National Park by the Royal Government of Cambodia in 2016.

The area is considered as Cambodia’s giant bump motors and battery chargers, as it contains the potential to generate around 20% of the country’s total electricity from its water resources, which can be transformed into hydropower dams. This information was shared by Dr. Suwanna Gauntlett, the Founder and CEO of Wildlife Alliance, during a “Wildlife Tour” seminar on March 19.

“Phnom Kravanh National Park is compared to a huge pump motor for Cambodia, which draws clouds from the oceans to irrigate the mainland, as well as the country’s battery chargers as in the area, there are more than 22 major rivers, plus hundreds of small streams and lakes as the source of water. Those natural resources are transformed to be hydropower dams with a total capacity of approximately 20 per cent of the country’s total electricity capacity,” said Dr. Sou Vanna.

Apart from being a potential source of electricity, the Phnom Kravanh National Park is also home to over 50 species of endangered and globally rare animals, such as Asian elephants, Clouded leopards, mountain crocodiles, big and small bears, Pileated gibbon, mountain turtles, Greek Chicken, peacocks, and other rare wood species.

Moreover, from 2016 to 2020, Cambodia sold carbon loans to major international companies for US$11.6 million. In November 2022, Cambodia agreed to sell 15 million tons of carbon credit from three REDD+ projects to major international corporations. This will not only generate revenue for the country but also help to preserve the biodiversity and natural resources of the park. (Read more)

Phnom Kravanh National Park is a crucial natural resource for Cambodia, providing significant opportunities for sustainable development and protection of endangered species. With the continued support of the government and international community, the park’s potential to generate clean energy and carbon credits will benefit the national economy and global efforts towards environmental protection.

• Energy and Environment