The project, which secured $1.5m funding from the Global Environment Facility, aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region. It will promote investments in biogas-based rural electricity enterprises, mainly in piggery farms.
UNIDO will partner with the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to implement the project, which will leverage animal waste from commercial pig farms.
The project will accumulate funds from the private sector to install at least 1.5MW electricity during the first phase.
Consequently, the GHG emissions in the region are expected to reduce by 1.3 MtCO2e over 15 years.
Around 14 pig farms have expressed interest to join the project, which aims to provide cheap and sustainable electricity, reported The Phnom Penh Post.
Cambodia Environment Ministry State Secretary Sabo Osano said: "This project of promoting commercial biogas plants will help Cambodia utilize biogas in a smart way to produce electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in support of the country’s sustainable development."