In recent years, Indonesia has been actively promoting energy and mineral cooperation with Cambodia. During a recent meeting with Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy Kao Rattana, Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto stated that Indonesia is committed to participating in the development of renewable energy in Cambodia, including hydropower and solar energy. Both sides emphasized that cooperation between Indonesia and Cambodia in the fields of new and renewable energy not only holds great potential but also aligns with the shared commitment of both countries to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions. The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening mineral cooperation to promote sustainable development.
　　In recent years, faced with a volatile geopolitical landscape and an uncertain global economic environment, Indonesia has, on the one hand, urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments to support developing nations in tackling climate change, fostering cooperation that is equitable, collaborative, and inclusive, enabling more countries to participate in global supply chains, making them fairer, ending monopolies, and achieving win-win outcomes. On the other hand, Indonesia has actively sought energy and mineral cooperation with the “Global South,” promoting the energy transition and sustainable development.
　　Last year, Indonesia engaged in discussions with numerous countries and regions across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and other areas to strengthen cooperation in energy and mineral resources. As ASEAN’s rotating chair country, Indonesia actively promoted greater ASEAN collaboration on energy transition—enhancing regional energy interconnectivity through the ASEAN Power Grid and establishing a unified regional ecosystem for electric vehicles. On July 15 of this year, Indonesia officially began exporting electricity to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape expressed his hope that the two sides would collaborate in the fields of new energy and renewable energy. Papua New Guinea has significant potential in these areas and could increase its electricity exports to Indonesia in the future, enabling Indonesian businesses to access cleaner energy sources.
　　Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala Mansury recently stated that developed countries, including the United States, need to invest in nations rich in critical mineral resources in order to reduce supply-chain risks. These commodities are the “new oil” driving geopolitics—and if production disruptions in global supply chains become widespread, no one will benefit. He noted that countries around the world are gradually transitioning to renewable energy, and developed nations must recognize the shifting direction of geoeconomic dynamics and adjust their priorities accordingly. Countries in the Global South, which were once colonized precisely because of their natural resources, now have an opportunity to build resilient supply chains.
　　Currently, Cambodia’s energy sector is characterized by limited electricity access in rural areas, reliance on imported energy sources, and inadequate infrastructure. Most of the country’s electricity is generated by hydropower plants, which are highly vulnerable to fluctuations in water levels and climate change, leading to rising electricity prices, hindering industrial growth, and constraining economic development. Relevant data show that in 2022, solar power accounted for 6.7% of Cambodia’s electricity generation, coal and oil-fired power made up 38.9%, and hydropower accounted for 53.9%. As of January 2023, 59% of Cambodia’s electricity was dependent on imports, of which 33% came from neighboring countries, while electricity generated using imported coal or oil accounted for 25.60%, and locally sourced resources contributed 40.7%.
　　The development and utilization of renewable resources represent a promising pathway for Cambodia’s sustainable development. They are also one of the three key development goals identified in Cambodia’s Power Development Plan formulated in 2022: providing reliable and affordable electricity to all sectors, reducing dependence on energy imports and maximizing the exploitation of domestic energy resources, and increasing the share of clean energy.
　　Mpuhni, a researcher at Indonesia’s National Innovation Agency, stated that although Cambodia has significant potential for clean energy and abundant renewable energy resources—including solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower—these resources have yet to be fully developed. According to estimates by the Asian Development Bank, Cambodia’s solar energy potential could reach as much as 10,000 megawatts. Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme also believes that Cambodia’s offshore wind power potential could amount to 5,000 megawatts.
　　Since last year, Indonesia has been promoting energy and mineral cooperation between Indonesia and Cambodia through various means, including workshops. At a workshop held last November by the Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia, Santoso stated that cooperation between Indonesia and Cambodia in the field of renewable energy is still in its early stages, but this area holds great potential for collaboration. Indonesia has achieved some success in developing micro-hydroelectric generators, and given Cambodia’s topography and living conditions in rural areas, such generators could prove to be highly popular.