The Lower Sesan II Hydropower Plant has become a vital energy source for Cambodia. It provides a stable and sustainable supply of electricity to millions of households across the country. As one of the nation’s largest hydropower projects, it plays a key role in supporting economic growth. It also improves the quality of life for local communities, effectively powering Cambodian homes year-round. The Lower Sesan II powers Cambodian homes year-round, ensuring a continuous and reliable energy supply.
The Lower Sesan II Hydropower Plant is located in Sesan District, Stung Treng Province. It serves as a crucial energy source for Cambodia, ensuring Cambodian homes have power all year round. It supplies electricity to an estimated two million households annually.
The 400-megawatt facility, equipped with eight 50-megawatt turbines, generates an average of 1,970 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. The plant supplies around 20% of Cambodia’s total electricity needs. As a result, it is seen as a significant contributor to the country’s energy independence and powers homes year-round.
Its cutting-edge hydropower technology makes sure that it works reliably during both wet and dry seasons. The Lower Sesan II plant was built on the Sesan River’s main channel and opened in December 2018. This strategic location provides a consistent water source. It enables continuous electricity generation, even during the dry season. This happens at a reduced capacity of 30 to 100 megawatts, utilizing two to three turbines.
All eight turbines can operate at full capacity during the rainy season, achieving the plant’s maximum output of 400 megawatts. Deng Yulin is the Deputy Director-General and General Manager of the plant. He highlighted the facility’s resilience. It has maintained steady operation despite extreme heat in recent years, continuing to power Cambodian homes year-round.
Due to favorable water flow conditions, he expressed optimism for reliable production in 2025. Five transmission lines carry the generated electricity. Four of these lines are high-voltage 230kV lines. They connect Rattanakiri province and the Stung Treng substation.
Power is delivered to a number of provinces from the substation, including Kratie, Kampong Cham, and Phnom Penh, the capital. Operations Officer Lim Hong emphasized the plant’s unique advantage. Unlike other hydropower plants that rely on seasonal mountain streams, this plant provides power to Cambodian homes year-round.
Constructed with a $781.52 million investment. This investment came from a joint venture between Hydrolancang International Energy, Cambodia’s Royal Group, and Vietnam’s Electricity of Vietnam (EVN). The Lower Sesan II Hydropower Plant supplies power to Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kratie, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, and Rattanakiri provinces.
Thanks to the Lower Sesan II Hydropower Plant, Cambodia continues to move toward a brighter, more energy-secure future. Clean energy powers homes and businesses every day. Consequently, the Lower Sesan II powers Cambodian homes year-round, building a more resilient and sustainable tomorrow for future generations.
