Background
The Lower Sesan 2 project functions as one of Cambodia’s largest river‑fed hydropower installations and is a central asset in the national electricity grid. Lower Sesan 2 hydropower plant has an installed capacity of 400 megawatts delivered by eight 50‑megawatt turbines.
Investment and operational arrangements connect the plant to Cambodia’s broader energy policy and transmission network. The project’s average annual generation is about 1,970 gigawatt‑hours, meeting roughly 20% of Cambodia’s total electricity demand.
Key Developments
On 15 June 2026 a delegation from the National Assembly’s Committee 9 visited the Lower Sesan 2 facility in Stung Treng Province and received briefings from company representatives and the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Company presenters reported that the plant began operations after an official inauguration on 17 December 2018 under national leadership and that it operates under a 45‑year build‑operate‑transfer (BOT) concession.
Institutional Role
Hydro Power Lower Sesan 2 Co., Ltd is the concessionaire responsible for plant operations under a multi‑party investment. The ownership structure reported by company representatives allocates approximately 51% to Hydrolancang International Energy (China), 39% to Royal Group (Cambodia), and 10% to EVNI (Vietnam), with a total reported investment near US$800 million.
Market Impact
The plant’s transmission assets include 230 kV high‑voltage lines linking production to major load centers; company material lists connections to Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kratie, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri. Project briefings stated that generation from Lower Sesan 2 has reduced reliance on cross‑border imports, contributed to lower domestic electricity prices, and supports government targets to expand clean energy share toward the 70% objective for 2029–2030.
Operational Notes
Lower Sesan 2 is river‑flow driven rather than reservoir‑fed from mountain storage, which enables year‑round operation: the plant can run all eight turbines at full output during the wet season and typically operates two to three turbines in the dry season, producing between about 30 and 100 megawatts depending on river flow.
Source
Report of National Assembly Committee 9 visit and company presentation to delegates, National Assembly of Cambodia social media briefing, 15 June 2026; project commissioning date and investor disclosures as presented by Hydro Power Lower Sesan 2 Co., Ltd.
