A pumped-storage hydropower project in Cambodia developed by China's central state-owned enterprise Sinomach Heavy Equipment Group Co., Ltd. has reached a new milestone. The company recently announced that the project has received an overseas investment filing notice from China's National Development and Reform Commission and an overseas investment certificate issued by the Ministry of Commerce, completing the main overseas investment approval procedures.
Located on the Tatay river basin in Koh Kong province, Cambodia, the project has a planned total installed capacity of 1,000 MW and a total investment of about US$996 million. It plans to install four units, each with a capacity of 250 MW. The project will be carried out under a build-operate-transfer model, with a commercial operation period of 40 years.
The project had previously signed core agreements with Cambodia's Ministry of Mines and Energy and Electricité du Cambodge, and was approved by the Sinomach Heavy Equipment Group board in 2025. On April 10 this year, Cambodia held a groundbreaking ceremony for the project.
However, the company noted in its latest announcement that the specific construction start date has not yet been determined. It also cautioned that, given the large investment scale and long contract period, the project still faces risks including construction, agreement performance and changes in local laws and regulations.
Pumped-storage hydropower stations can use surplus electricity to pump water to higher elevations for storage and release it to generate power during peak demand, playing a role in energy storage and grid regulation. For Cambodia, the project is expected to enhance grid peak-shaving capacity and improve supply stability.
As renewable energy sources such as solar power continue to develop, the Upper Tatay project is also expected to support the integration of more green electricity into the grid. However, when the project will officially enter the substantive construction phase remains to be confirmed by subsequent announcements.
