Cambodia will host Clean Energy Week 2026 (CEW26) from September 15 to 21 in Phnom Penh, bringing together policymakers and clean energy stakeholders to examine how the country can build the skills, jobs and investment needed for its transition toward a lower carbon economy. The programme will include a new Clean Energy Skills Conference on September 16 and the launch of a report examining the economic competitiveness benefits of clean energy.
Key Facts
- What happened: Cambodia is preparing to host Clean Energy Week 2026 and a new Clean Energy Skills Conference.
- Who: EnergyLab Asia, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and other partners.
- Where: Phnom Penh, including Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Shangri La Phnom Penh.
- When: September 15 to 21, 2026.
- Key figure: Cambodia has a national target of carbon neutrality by 2050.
- Energy data: Renewable energy represented 63.23% of Cambodia’s installed power capacity in 2025, according to government data.
- Sector: Clean energy, employment, skills development and economic transition.
- Public access: Clean Energy Week sessions are open to the public free of charge with registration.
What Happened
Cambodia is preparing for Clean Energy Week 2026 as the country looks at the economic and workforce implications of its transition toward cleaner energy.
According to information from EnergyLab Asia, CEW26 will run from September 15 to 21 and will focus on the skills required to support Cambodia's climate ambitions while also addressing energy security and the need to reduce energy costs.
A major addition this year will be the Clean Energy Skills Conference, scheduled for September 16 at Shangri La Phnom Penh. The conference will be led by Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, and will examine how employment and skills requirements could change as Cambodia moves toward a renewable energy oriented economy.
The wider programme will take place at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and will include discussions and presentations on clean energy throughout the week.
Key Details
The opening programme is expected to feature remarks from Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Derek Yip, EnergyLab Asia Regional Director Natharoun Ngo Son and a representative of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, according to the event information.
CEW26 will also introduce the Clean Energy and Economic Competitiveness (CEEC) report. The report is intended to examine the financial gains and potential savings that businesses could achieve through renewable energy solutions, shifting part of the energy transition discussion from environmental objectives toward economic competitiveness.
This is particularly relevant for businesses because energy costs are directly connected to operating expenses, production and competitiveness. The event's focus on economic benefits therefore places clean energy within a broader discussion about how companies can manage costs while responding to changing energy and climate requirements.
The week will then move into more specialised panels and presentations. The organisers say these sessions will be open to members of the public free of charge, subject to registration.
Why It Matters?
Cambodia's clean energy transition is not only an environmental issue. It also involves workforce development, industrial competitiveness, energy security and investment.
The introduction of a dedicated skills conference highlights one of the practical challenges of the transition. As businesses adopt renewable energy technologies and improve energy efficiency, workers may require new technical and vocational capabilities.
For Cambodia, this creates a connection between climate policy and employment policy. Training institutions, employers and government agencies may need to ensure that workers have skills that match the technologies and business models emerging in the clean energy sector.
The economic dimension is also becoming increasingly important. The CEEC report is designed to examine clean energy through the lens of business costs and financial benefits, potentially helping companies assess renewable energy not simply as an environmental investment but also as part of longer term competitiveness.
Cambodia Impact
Cambodia has already expanded its renewable energy capacity considerably.
Government data shows that renewable energy accounted for 63.23% of total installed power capacity in 2025, equivalent to 3,325 MW. Hydropower accounted for 34.25%, solar power 28.05% and biomass 0.92%.
However, the energy mix remains divided between renewable and non renewable sources. Electricity Authority of Cambodia figures reported for 2025 show renewable sources generated 50.09% of electricity connected to the national grid, while non renewable sources accounted for 49.91%. Coal remained a major part of the non renewable generation mix.
This distinction matters. Installed capacity measures the amount of generation capacity available, while actual electricity generation reflects how much electricity those sources produce. The figures indicate that Cambodia has made substantial progress in renewable capacity while continuing to rely significantly on non renewable generation.
From a workforce perspective, the transition could increase demand for technical skills related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrical systems and other clean energy technologies. The CEW26 skills programme is specifically intended to address this workforce dimension.
Cambodia's broader development strategy also links carbon reduction with economic opportunities. Its Long Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality estimates that implementation could generate additional economic benefits and create hundreds of thousands of jobs by 2050.
Background
Cambodia has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The country submitted its Long Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality (LTS4CN) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on December 30, 2021. The strategy provides a pathway for reducing emissions while considering economic growth, social development and climate resilience.
The strategy identifies decarbonisation of the power and transport sectors, higher energy efficiency, low carbon agriculture, industrial processes and improved waste management among the areas needed to support the 2050 objective.
The government's latest electricity figures indicate that the country is already moving toward a larger renewable energy capacity base. Cambodia's total installed power capacity reached 5,932 MW in 2025, with renewable sources accounting for 63.23% of that capacity.
The challenge now extends beyond adding generation capacity. Cambodia also needs the workforce, infrastructure, investment and business capabilities required to use cleaner energy effectively.
What Happens Next
CEW26 will take place from September 15 to 21, with the Clean Energy Skills Conference scheduled for September 16.
The week will provide a platform for policymakers, businesses and other stakeholders to discuss clean energy, employment, skills and economic competitiveness. The organisers say the public can attend the wider Clean Energy Week programme free of charge after registration.
For businesses and investors, the release of the Clean Energy and Economic Competitiveness report may provide additional information on the potential financial implications of renewable energy adoption.
Data Table
| Metric | Figure | Period/Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Energy Week 2026 | September 15 to 21 | 2026 | EnergyLab Asia |
| Clean Energy Skills Conference | September 16 | 2026 | EnergyLab Asia |
| Cambodia carbon neutrality target | 2050 | National target | NCSD / LTS4CN |
| Total installed power capacity | 5,932 MW | 2025 | Ministry of Mines and Energy / EAC |
| Renewable share of installed capacity | 63.23% | 2025 | Ministry of Mines and Energy / EAC |
| Renewable electricity generation share | 50.09% | 2025 | EAC data |
| Non renewable electricity generation share | 49.91% | 2025 | EAC data |
Angkor Times Analysis
From a business perspective, the most important feature of CEW26 may be its attempt to connect clean energy with economic competitiveness and workforce development. Cambodia's renewable capacity has already crossed 60% of installed capacity, but the workforce and business systems needed to support the transition will be equally important.
The new skills conference is therefore relevant beyond the energy sector. Manufacturers, technology companies, construction firms, transport operators and other businesses could increasingly need workers with technical knowledge related to energy efficiency and cleaner technologies. However, the available information does not yet show how many new jobs CEW26 itself will create or how quickly demand for specific clean energy occupations will grow.
Cambodia's 2050 carbon neutrality strategy also shows that the energy transition is being considered as part of a broader economic transformation. The combination of cleaner power, skills development and business competitiveness could become increasingly important as Cambodia seeks to attract investment while maintaining reliable and affordable energy.
Sources
- EnergyLab Asia / Clean Energy Cambodia
- Cambodia Ministry of Mines and Energy
- National Council for Sustainable Development: Long Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality
- UNFCCC: Cambodia’s Long Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality
- Agence Kampuchea Presse: Cambodia’s Power Capacity Grows 14.4% to Almost 6,000 MW in 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clean Energy Week 2026?
Clean Energy Week 2026 is a week of clean energy discussions and presentations in Cambodia focusing on energy transition, skills, energy security, economic competitiveness and related issues.
When will Clean Energy Week 2026 take place?
CEW26 is scheduled for September 15 to 21, 2026, in Phnom Penh.
What is the Clean Energy Skills Conference?
It is a new conference within CEW26 focusing on employment and skills requirements as Cambodia moves toward a more renewable energy oriented economy. It is scheduled for September 16 at Shangri La Phnom Penh.
Who will lead the Clean Energy Skills Conference?
The conference will be led by Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, according to EnergyLab Asia's event information.
What is Cambodia's carbon neutrality target?
Cambodia aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The country's Long Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality was submitted to the UNFCCC on December 30, 2021.
How much of Cambodia's installed power capacity was renewable in 2025?
Renewable energy represented 63.23% of Cambodia's installed power capacity in 2025, equivalent to 3,325 MW.
Does Cambodia still use non renewable energy?
Yes. EAC figures show that renewable sources generated 50.09% of electricity connected to the national grid in 2025, while non renewable sources accounted for 49.91%.