Collective Global Roadmap Can Boost Cambodia's Energy Transition Goals

Cambodia has made impressive strides in transitioning from dirty coal and imported electricity to homegrown renewable energy. The kingdom has a target to source 70% of its total power capacity from renewables by 2030. According to Phalkun Out, manager of energy policy and government relations at EnergyLab Asia, this goal is achievable but requires global support and cooperation.

## Energy Transition Goals The recent momentum on developing a formal process to assist countries in transitioning away from fossil fuels is very encouraging. The roadmap process championed by the COP30 Brazil presidency and at the Santa Marta conference in Colombia shows a clear appetite among countries to invest in a just and orderly transition. This is crucial for Cambodia, which has been able to shield itself from the worst impacts of the current energy crisis thanks to its renewable investments.

## Global Support and Cooperation The current energy crisis provides a stark reminder of how relying on imported fossil fuels puts at risk economic competitiveness and energy security. The impact on families, particularly poorer households, has been devastating as they struggle to pay for transport, food, and electricity. A new international governance framework and coordinated transition plans are essential for Cambodia and the rest of Southeast Asia to achieve a just and orderly transition.

## Regional Cooperation Given the turbulent times ahead, the region cannot afford a return to the status quo of high dependence on foreign fuel supplies. As a clean energy leader, Cambodia can play a critical role in elevating the importance of clean energy transition at the regional level. Global initiatives like the COP31 Türkiye presidency's plans to champion electrification and a global target for electricity to provide 35% of final energy consumption by 2035 are commendable, but they still need to be understood in terms of what opportunities and support this could offer for countries like Cambodia.

## Conclusion For Cambodia to reach its 70% renewables target, the government plans to overcome structural hurdles such as upgrading grid infrastructure, managing limited fiscal space, and addressing the high upfront capital costs of renewable energy. Continued international financial and technical support for countries like Cambodia is essential for these trends to continue and even accelerate. The Turkish and Australian COP31 presidencies this year have the opportunity to transform the roadmap and prevent the issue from being sidelined at the summit in Antalya.