Background
Cambodia faces growing vulnerability to climate change, with its energy and transport sectors emerging as the fastest-growing sources of emissions. Energy demand nearly tripled between 2000 and 2020 and is projected to double again by 2040. As of 2023, Cambodia’s installed power capacity stood at 4,649 MW, mainly from hydropower (46%), coal (33%), and oil (21%), but about 14% of supply was still imported. Rapid motorization has compounded fossil fuel dependence and urban air pollution. Despite its abundant renewable resources, including over 10 GW of hydropower potential and high solar radiation levels, Cambodia lacks a comprehensive hydrogen policy and remains dependent on coal for one-third of its power generation.
Globally, hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone for energy transition, with demand projected to exceed 100 Mt in 2024 and reach up to 500 Mt by 2050. By mid-century, hydrogen could supply around 14% of global final energy needs. In this context, Cambodia seeks to develop a National Green Hydrogen Roadmap with support from the CTCN, drawing on international best practices such as Korea’s advanced hydrogen initiatives. The roadmap will align with Cambodia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality (LTS4CN), and related national plans to enhance energy security, integrate renewables, and foster long-term international cooperation.
CTCN Support
The CTCN support will assist Cambodia in developing a National Green Hydrogen Roadmap to accelerate its energy transition and decarbonization efforts. This technical assistance aims to help the country identify opportunities, challenges, and enabling conditions for introducing hydrogen technologies within its energy system. The roadmap will provide a tailored framework aligned with Cambodia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality (LTS4CN), and Pentagonal Strategy, enabling the integration of renewable hydrogen into power, transport, and industrial sectors.
Building on lessons from regional experiences, particularly Thailand and Korea, the CTCN-supported roadmap will outline strategic pathways for hydrogen production, storage, and utilization, as well as necessary policy, regulatory, and investment frameworks. The initiative will strengthen institutional capacity, foster international cooperation, and support long-term energy security while positioning Cambodia to attract clean technology investments and meet its greenhouse gas reduction commitments.
Expected outcome
The expected outcome of this Technical Assistance is the development of a comprehensive National Green Hydrogen Roadmap for Cambodia, providing a strategic framework to guide the country’s transition toward low-carbon and energy-secure growth. The roadmap will define feasible pathways for hydrogen production, storage, and utilization from renewable sources, supported by enabling policies, regulatory measures, and investment priorities.
