The government is donating 168 ha in Botum Sakor National Park in Koh Kong to the Royal Group to build a 700-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant. Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that the investment plan is more than $1.3 billion. Of that, 30% is direct capital and 70% from bank loans. The lease term is 38 years.
Adhoc spokesman Seung Sen Karona said the government should release the report on the plant’s impact on society and the environment before deciding to lease it to a private company. “In general, we are concerned about the effects of this plan,” he said.
Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra told RFI on August 6 that the government had already studied and evaluated the plan before making the decision. Pheaktra said the 58 affected families have already been compensated by the company.
