Cambodia OfficeBoeng Keng Kang 1Phnom PenhP.O. Box 877www.kh.undp.org

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Energy EfficiencyT h e k e y p i l l a r o f C a m b o d i a ’ s E n e r g y F u t u r e

Energy Efficiency for Low-carbon Development

Energy efficiency means using less energy to provide the

same service. For example, an LED lamp is more efficient

than a traditional incandescent bulb as it uses much less

electricity to produce the same amount of light. Similarly,

an efficient air conditioner takes less power to cool your

home to a given temperature than a less efficient model.

---

The phrase ENERGY EFFICIENCY is often used as a shorthand

to describe any kind of energy-saving measure, though tech-

nically it is different from energy conservation. The concept

of energy conservation implies reducing the use of energy,

which can also include behavior change. Examples of energy

conservation are turning off computers and lights in the of-

fice during lunch breaks or using natural ventilation to cool

a building instead of electricity consuming air conditioning.

W H Y E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y I S S O

I M P O R T A N T F O R C A M B O D I A ?

T H E K E Y I S S U E S O F A S U S T A I N A B L E

E N E R G Y S U P P L Y

What role does energy efficiency play in

Cambodia’s future?

S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y—Energy efficiency and renewable energy are the TWIN PILLARS of a sustainable energy system. In Cambodia, energy efficiency has enormous eco-nomic potentials and can play a vital role in ensur-ing the country’s low carbon development path. Saving energy also reduces the use of fossil fuels, which is essential to lower Cambodia’s dependency on energy imports as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

E N E R G Y S E C U R I T Y—Reliable energy supply is the foundation for eco-nomic development. Cambodia has been investing heavily in the construction of new power plants and importing energy to fulfill its growing electricity de-mand. Roughly one third of the power demand and the whole transport sector rely on the import of fossil fuels like coal, LPG and other petroleum prod-ucts, which are the are main cause of human-made greenhouse gas emissions.

S AV I N G M O N E Y—For a consumer, the primary motivation of energy efficiency is simply saving money by lowering the energy bill. For many countries, companies, and in-dividuals around the world, energy efficiency is an attractive investment because it is cost-effective.

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Energy Efficiency GoalsD e c o u p l e E n e r g y U s e f r o m Q u a l i t y o f L i f e The Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency

The higher the energy intensity of a economy, the more energy is required to produce economic growth. Cambodia’s economy needs 1.8 times more energy than Philippines to produce one unit of GDP.

ENERGY INTENSITY

Comment: 2016 data Source: IEA and UN Statistics

THAILANDVIETNAM MALAYSIACAMBODIA MYANMAR PHILIPPINESINDONESIAJAPAN

HOW MUCH ENERGY IS USED

TO PRODUCE A UNIT OF GDP

COMPARED TO THE EU

AVERAGE?

Energy used to produce one million Euro of GDP(ton oil equivalent)

Commissioned by E3G – Third Generation Environmentalism. Infographics:

Partners: Energiaklub Climate Policy Institute & Applied Communications (HU) | Centre for Transport and Energy (CZ) | Glopolis (CZ) | Polish Ecological Club (PL)

6.14 5.81 3.07 2.88

GDP

3.435.36 4.65 3.67

E n e r g y I n t e n s i t y

Energy intensity is used to measure the energy efficiency of an economy. It is calculated as units of

energy used to produce one unit of welfare (expressed in GDP). The conventional fossil-fuel based

development path implied the increase of energy intensity with raising prosperity. In contrast, the new

low-carbon development aims to decouple economic activities from energy use.

P o l i c y G o a l s

ASEAN1 countries have committed to reducing its total energy intensity by 30% in 2025 compared to

the 2005 level. At the national level, Cambodia targets to reduce the final energy consumption by 20%

in 2035 as compared to the business-as-usual scenario.2 This would result in reduced energy intensity

of 65% in 2035 relative to 2014.3

The Royal Government of Cambodia has drafted the National Energy Efficiency Policy which sets the

goal to reduce energy use in industries and buildings by 25% and in the transport sector by 15%. These

targets could be achieved cost-effectively by applying a four-folded strategy focusing on (1) aware-

ness-raising, (2) financial incentives, (3) capacity building, and (4) energy efficiency standards. 

B U I L D I N G S25 %

I N D U S T R Y25 %

T R A N S P O R T15 %

Energy Saving Potentials for Cambodia

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Go

als

& B

en

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Go

als

& B

en

efi

tsEnergy Efficiency Improvement

Better Resource

Management

Increase Asset

Values

Energy cost Savings

ReducedGHG

Emissions

EnergySecurity

Job Creation

IndustrialProductivity

Skilled Technical

Employment

Decreased EnergyPrices

MitigatingLocal AirPollution

Health &Well Being

Source: National Energy Efficiency Policy Draft (2017)

1 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation2 A business-as-usual (BAU) scenario in an energy demand forecast model assumes no significant change in people's attitudes and priorities, or no major changes in technology, economics, or policies.3 MME. (2017). National Energy Efficiency Policy 2018-2035 (Draft). Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC).

Figure adapted from E3G - Third Generation Environmentalism. https://www.e3g.org/ Data Source: IEA and UN Statistics from 2016

Balanced expansion of Power

Sector

Green and efficient BuildingsT H E C O N S T R U C T I O N B O O M A N D S A V I N G O P P O R T U N T I E S

---

The construction industry has experienced remarkable growth since Cambodia opened to

foreign investment in the 1990s. Construction is along with garments, rice, and tourism,

one of the four pillars of the country’s economy.1 Since the year 2000, Cambodia’s Min-

istry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) has approved

43,136 construction projects on a total land area of 114 million square meters with an

investment capital more than US$43 billion.2

---

The building sector is the largest final energy consumer after transport and industry, with

an estimated share of 40%.3 It is estimated that buildings’ energy consumption will more

than double until 2040. Promoting energy efficiency could save up to 25% of building en-

ergy use and result in cumulative CO2 emissions savings of 17.8 million tons4. Furthmore,

building users will save Millions US-Dollar in energy bills.

How to design an efficient building in Cambodia

L I G H T - C O L O R E D R O O F A N D W A L L M A T E R I A L S An easy and zero or low-cost way to reduce cooling require-ments is to use light-colored rather than dark-colored walls and roofing materials. It is well known that light colors reflect solar radiation. Raising the albedo by 0.4 can lead to a reduction of cooling energy by 20 %.

I N S T A L L E F F I C I E N T A P P L I A N C E SInstall only energy-efficient appliances because they are the most efficient and will save you money in the future. If you plan to install a central cooling system, consider the efficient VRF technology. This will not only reduce your electricity bill but also improve the thermal comfort and air quality in your building.

S M A R T E N E R G Y M E T E R SSmart meters display your electricity usage in real-time, so you can see exactly how much you are spending on en-ergy. They can help save you money by identifying energy leakages. You can try out new energy-saving strategies and see in real-time how much en-ergy you save.

S H A D I N G O F W I N D O W SHorizontal shading devices on the southern façade and vertical on the east and west façade can reduce solar heat gains considerably.Awnings and louvers can re-duce solar heat gain by 65% on equator facing facades and up to 80% on East and west fa-cades.

M O D E R N W I N D O W S T H A T P R O T E C T F R O M T H E S U NInstall modern windows that close tightly and have a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC <0.25). Low SHGC can be achieved by a low-E coat-ing or a slightly tinted window film. This will also reduce the cooling energy. For commer-cial buildings double glazing is highly recommended.

B U I L D I N G I N S U L A T I O NBuilding envelope insulation is required to reach and re-tain low energy levels. This includes highly insulated roofs with a recommended U-val-ue of 0.41 W/m²K or better. A well-insulated roof will also reduce solar heat gains from direct solar exposure.

R E D U C E W I N D O W A R E AIn hot climates, direct solar radiation should be reduced as much as possible. A win-dow area of 20% of the entire building façade can provide proper daylighting. Windows on the east and west façade should be avoided.

E N H A N C E D N A T U R A L V E N T I L A T I O NDesign your building as much as possible for natural ven-tilation. Cross ventilation or stack ventilation will ensure proper cooling for corridors, stairwells, and temporally oc-cupied spaces.

A I R T I G H T N E S SInfiltration in the buildings adds significantly to uncontrolled heat transfer. Spaces that are air-con-ditioned should be adequately sealed. This minimizes heat leak-age through cracks of the building and reduces cooling energy. Install modern doors and windows that ensure airtightness.

Basic design strategies for more comfort and a lower electricity bill

L E A R N I N G A B O U T E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y I N B U I L D I N G S

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1 ADB. (2014). Cambodia - Diversifying beyond garments and tourism - Country Diagnostic Study. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/149852/cambodia-diversifying-country-diagnostic-study.pdf2 Ministry of Information. (2018). Over 43,000 Construction Projects Approved in Nearly 20 Years. Retrieved from https://www.information.gov.kh/detailnews/2523583 IEA. (2019) World Energy Balances 2019. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/subscribe-to-data-services/world-energy-balances-and-statistics4 MME. (2017). National Energy Efficiency Policy 2018-2035 (Draft). Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC).

Cambodia today We can save money and the planet!

E Q U I V A L E N T T O 3 0 0 B I L L I O N T R E E S E E D L I N G S G R O W N F O R 1 0 Y E A R S

4 0 % O F E N E R G Y I S U S E D I N B U I L D I N G S

1 7 . 8 M I L L I O N T O N S O F C O 2 S AV I N G S T H R O U G H E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y U N T I L 2 0 3 5

Energy use in householdsC a m b o d i a

D E S I G N F O R S A V I N G S

Energy use in residential buildings is dominated by lighting, cooking, refrigeration, and space cool-

ing. Cooking still has the highest consumption share, in particular, in the rural area, due to biomass

use for cooking. This is expected to change because people will purchase more electrical devices as

their income levels rise.

The penetration rate of highly consuming appliance such as air conditioning and refrigerators are

still lower than in the neighboring countries. But those with air conditioning in Cambodia use them

on average 14 hours per day, mostly during the night. Space cooling and refrigeration are likely to

increase dramatically in the upcoming years, given rising income levels.1

Climate-responsive building design and the use of energy-efficient technologies can reduce the

necessity of cooling. Climate-responsive architecture aims to create a comfortable interior while

lowering the building’s reliance on electrical energy. In a hot climate like Cambodia, solar control

and natural ventilation are the main design strategies.

About 21% of energy savings in Cambodian homes can be achieved by improving natural ventila-

tion, lighting control, energy-saving bulbs, and low-E coated glass. For office buildings, there are

24% energy saving potential by reducing the window area, reflective painting on external walls and

roof as well as energy-saving light.2

O F F I C E S 2 4 % S AV I N G S t h r o u g hH O M E S 2 1 % S AV I N G S t h r o u g h

• N A T U R A L V E N T I L A T I O N • L I G H T I N G C O N T R O L• E N E R G Y - S A V I N G B U L B S • L O W - E C O A T E D W I N D O W S

• R E D U C I N G W I N D O W A R E A• R E F L E C T I V E P A I N T I N G O F E X T E R N A L

W A L L S A N D R O O F• E N E R G Y - S A V I N G L I G H T I N G

Energy-intensive space cooling and refrigeration are likely to increase

dramatically in the upcoming years, given rising income levels...

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Use

PHNOM PENH OVERALL CAMBODIA

F A N S

WASHING MACHINE

R E F R I G E R A T O R

A I R C O N D I T I O N E R

99%

45%

77%

50%

APPLIANCE USE FINAL ENERGY USE IN HOUSEHOLDS

PENETRATION RATE OF HOUSEHOLDS APPLIANCES

1 Murakoshi, C. (2017). State of residential energy consumption in Southeast Asia. ECEE 2017 Summer Study - Consumption, Efficiency & Limits, 1489–1499.2 IFC. (2018). Cambodia: Green Buildings Return on Investment. Retrieved from www.edgebuildings.com

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Electric water heaters

Personal computers

Mobile phones

Washing machines

AC units

Irons

Refrigerators

Electric rice cookers

Television sets

Fan

Percentage of households using the appliance category

Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Source: Building Energy Structure and Lifestyle Database of Asia (2018). Retrieved from https://www.belda.asia/

What is energy labeling?How much money can you save?

This helps consumers to identify more energy-efficient products at the

time of purchase. Buying more efficient equipment, consumers can save

money on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

---The energy label is the same for all products in each category, e.g., refrig-

erators, which makes all products comparable. The energy label classifies

products from 1 to 5 according to the national standard, 5 being the most

energy-efficient class, and 1 the least energy-efficient. All manufacturers

that want to sell a product must follow a defined testing procedure and

get the energy label for their product.

---Energy labeling enables consumers to choose more energy-efficient

products. At the same time, it also encourages manufacturers to drive

innovation by using more energy-saving technologies. Manufacturers are

keen to see their energy-labeled products in the highest available catego-

ry when compared to competitors. Step by step, electrical appliances are

becoming more and more efficient.

Energy labeling and minimum efficiency standards for household devices are one of the most promising policy instru-

ments. Introducing energy labeling for five appliance categories in Cambodia could result in 30% annual electricity savings

in 2030.1 These savings would amount to US$ 280 Million savings in energy cost equivalent to the investment required

for building two new power plants.2

E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y L A B E L S A R E D E S I G N E D TO P R O V I D E A C C U R AT E

A N D C O M PA R A B L E I N F O R M AT I O N O N T H E E N E R G Y C O N S U M P T I O N

O F E L E C T R I C A L A P P L I A N C E S .

90 Watt

187 kWh/year

USD 35

200 Watt

1,022 kWh/year

USD 189

1,200 Watt

3,942 kWh/year

USD 729

25 Watt52 kWh/yearUSD 10

100 Watt511 kWh/yearUSD 95

100 Watt1,643 kWh/yearUSD 304

Power

Consumption

Cost

Power

Consumption

Cost

Power

Consumption

Cost

3,000 kWhUSD 545

Electricity:Cost:

Inefficient household Efficient household

TOTALANNUAL SAVINGS

Lighting, refrigerator and air conditioners are the major

electricity consuming devices in a typcial urban mid-

dle-class household of Cambodia. By replacing all devices

in these categories by the most-efficient technology, each

family could save up to 3,000 Kilowatt-hours of electricity

and 545 US-Dollar in energy cost every year.

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Source: MME (2019)

P R O P O S E D E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y L A B E L F O R C A M B O D I A

S AV I N G P O T E N T I A L

3 0 % A N N U A L

E L E C T R I C I T Y S A V I N G S I N 2 0 3 0

S A V E E L E C T R I C T Y

W O R T H O F

U S $ 2 8 0 M I L L I O N

E Q U I V A L E N T T O M O R E T H A N

2 P O W E R P L A N T S ( 1 0 0 M W E A C H )

L i g h t i n g

Refr igerator

Cool ing

1 Compared to Business-as-usual scenario2 GEF/UNEP. (2020). U4E Country Savings Assessment. Retrieved from https://united4efficiency.org/countries/country-assessments/

EQUIPMENTLIGHTING

All Lighting Industrial Electric Motors

COOLING

ResidentialRefrigerators

Room AirConditioners

DistributionTransformers

M A J O R E N E R G Y C O N S U M I N G E Q U I P E M E N T 2

Energy-efficient IndustriesM o r e c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s t h r o u g h e n e r g y e f f i c i e n c y

T H E I N D U S T R I A L S E C TO R C O N S U M E S A B O U T 22% O F TOTA L E L E C T R I C I T Y I N C A M -

B O D I A . A LT H O U G H P O W E R I S E X P E N S I V E , I T I S WA S T E D. E N E R G Y A U D I T S A N D A S -

S E S S M E N T S C O N D U C T E D BY P R O J E C T I N T E R V E N T I O N S I N FA C TO R I E S H AV E S H O W N

T H AT E N O R M O U S S AV I N G S C O U L D B E A C H I E V E D. E N E R G Y M A N A G E M E N T I S N OT Y E T

A S TA N D A R D P R A C T I C E I N C A M B O D I A ' S I N D U S T R I E S D U E TO A L A C K O F AWA R E N E S S

A N D K N O W L E D G E .

But what i s ENERGY MANAGEMENT? Energy

management is wel l -p lanned act ions that

help an organizat ion to reduce i ts energy

b i l l s and is cruc ia l to promote energy ef-

f ic iency in industr ies . The two main ener-

gy management strategies are conserva -

t ion and eff ic iency. Energy management

requires the establ ishment of a system of

col lect ion, analys is , and report ing on the

industry ’s energy consumption and costs .

An ENERGY AUDIT i s an inspect ion survey,

and an analys is of energy f lows in a bui ld -

ing or factory with the object ive to ident i fy

energy sav ing opportunit ies . Many energy

sav ing measures are low-hanging fru i ts and

require no or marginal investment. They

are achieved by improving maintenance

and opt imiz ing operat ions. Up-grading of

ex ist ing equipment by modern energy ef-

f ic ient equipment can improve the indus -

try ’s compet it iveness by decreas ing the

energy intens ity and, at the same t ime, the

negat ive environmental impact .

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Comprehensiveanalysis of the en-ergy use pattern

in the factory

Benchmarking of industries by

using the energy intensity to com-pare with other

industries

Identification of EE measures and

calculated energy sav-ings including economic

feasibility

Opportunity to reduce production costs and improve

the company's competitiveness.

What are the benefits of an industrial energy audit?

1 ENERGY AUDITThe energy audit is the first step of the broader

journey towards im-provement in energy

performance.

T h e e n e r g y m a n a g e m e n t

c y c l e

2 P R I O R I T I S ELocate each EE interven-tion from your audit and

prioritize to available resources and time.

3 PLAN & ASSIGNEstablish a project team

and assign responsibilitiesSet target and goal using

feasible performance indicators.

4 I M P L E M E N TImplement simple oper-ational EE practices first

and larger scale priorities later.

5 S T R A T E G I S EInvolve all stakeholders

to develop long term plans for high-value improvement

and long-term savings.

6 R E V I E WPeriodic review and

evaluation is critical to suc-cess. Return to step 1 or 2

to identify new saving opportunities.

M A X I M I Z E E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y—One of the essential dimensions of the eco-industrial park is to max-

imize energy efficiency and ensure reliable and clean energy supply.

This can be achieved through energy-efficient facility and factory

design, co-generation, waste heat recovery, and real-time energy

monitoring.

I M P R O V E D C O M P E T E T I V E N E S S—The benefits for the industries are reduced production costs through

increased material and energy efficiency, which leads to profit maxi-

mization. Industries will become more familiar with EE technologies

and technique and, thus, improve their competitiveness.

From SEZ to Eco-SEZ

An eco- industr ia l park or Eco-SEZ is a com-

munity of manufactur ing and service busi -

ness which cooperate with each other and

with the local community to reduce waste

and pol lut ion, as wel l as eff ic ient ly share

resources such as information, mater ia ls ,

water, energy, infrastructure, and natural

resources.

The overal l a im is to dr ive sustainable de-

velopment by increasing economic gains

and improving environmental qual i ty.

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E c o - I n d u s t r i a l P a r k s

ESCO ModelSmal l and Medium Enterpr ises (SMEs) in Cambodia have l imited f inancia l re -

sources and cannot bui ld up in-house technica l capacity in energy eff ic iency.

The ESCO approach could f i l l the gap and provide a v iable solut ion for promot-

ing energy conservat ion over the whole industr ia l sector.

An energy serv ice company (ESCO) is a bus iness

that provides energy audits and implementat ion

of energy sav ings projects . Most ESCOs inc lude

innovat ive f inancing methods that accept some

degree of f inancia l r i sk . The ESCO starts by per-

forming an energy audit at the factory or bui ld -

ing; then, i t des igns an energy eff ic ient solut ion

and insta l ls the required equipment. The ESCO is

often a lso responsib le for mainta in ing the system

to ensure energy sav ings dur ing the payback pe -

r iod. The factory or bui ld ing owner pays back the

capita l investment through the savings in energy

costs . I f the project does not provide returns on

the investment, the ESCO is often responsib le for

paying the d i fference.

ENERGY AUDIT

ESCO

PRO

JECT

IMPLEMENTATION

MONITORING

PLANNING

The phases of a typical ESCO project

O N E P R I M A R Y D R I V E R O F E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T I N

C A M B O D I A I S T H E S P E C I A L E C O N O M I C Z O N E S ( S E Z ) .

Walking/Running

Cycling

Public Transport

Rickshaw/Tuk Tuk

Car Sharing

Own Car/Bike

Flying

Sustainable andEfficient transport

G L O B A L C O 2 E M I S S I O N S F R O M T H E T R A N S P O R T S E C T O R A R E P R O J E C T E D T O I N C R E A S E N E A R L Y 5 0 % B Y 2 0 3 0 . T H I S M I G H T H A V E P R O F O U N D E N V I R O N M E N T A L , E C O N O M I C , A N D S O C I A L C O N S E Q U E N C E S U N L E S S D R A M A T I C C H A N G E S A R E A D O P T E D .

L o c a l I m p a c t—Rapid motorization is creating more congestion, air

pollution, and traffic accidents - especially in the urban

centres of developing countries like Cambodia. It is esti-

mated that traffic accidents cost Cambodia as much as

US$337 million per year.1 Air pollution is also a signifi-

cant health hazard contributing to respiratory diseases

like asthma and the premature death of over 11,400

Cambodian every year.2

S o l u t i o n s—Sustainable transport solutions are available. For better

health, less noise and pollution, walking and cycling are

near the top of what urban regions need. Therefore, it is

necessary to create a good network of shady side walks

and cycling lanes.

Switching from fossil fuel-powered engines to electric

vehicles has the potential to reduce global transport

emissions by 35%. Electric vehicles together with public

transportation can provide a cleaner solution for trans-

portation in Asian urban centers.

The Pyramid of Sustainable Transport

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ina

ble

Tra

nsp

ort

Su

sta

ina

ble

Tra

nsp

ort

CO2 Emissions per Passenger Kilometer

130.2g

Plane

124.5g

Cab

83g

Two Wheeler

66.8g

City Bus

45.6g

Rail

0.0g

Cycling

CYCLING LANES

WALK-ABILITY

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

1 OECD/ITF. (2015). Cambodia. Road Safety Annual Report 2015. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/irtad-2015-10-en2 Estimation from WHO (2012). Restrieved from https://southeastasiaglobe.com/air-pollution-phnom-penh/

Figure adapted from https://www.theneweconomy.com/home/the-knowledge-boxouts/c02-emissions-per-passenger

Figure adapted from Bicycle Innovation Lab. Copenhagen.

Energy Efficiency Policy | Bridging the gap

A C T I O N 1Approve Nat ional Energy Eff i -c iency Pol icyMinistry of Mines and Energy (MME) developed the National Energy Efficiency Policy between 2015 and 2017. This pol-icy is crucial to set the regulative frame-work for government actions to promote energy efficiency. It targets three sectors: (1) Buildings, (2) Industry, and (3) Transport. Relevant line ministries will be actively involved in the implementation of the EE policy.

A C T I O N 4Integrate energy regulat ions into ex ist ing construct ion lawThe MLMUPC launched the Construc-tion Law in December 2019. This new law was urgently needed to address the regulatory gap of Cambodia’s booming construction sector. The construction of more energy-consuming buildings was partly responsible for the power outages in 2019. Integrating energy regulation into the construction law could slow down energy demand growth and reduce power cuts. Such laws set minimum efficiency requirements for new and ren-ovated buildings, assuring reductions in energy use and emissions. The benefits of building users are lower energy bills.

A C T I O N 2Conduct country-wide awareness campaigns on energy eff ic iencyThe success of an energy efficiency initiative depends on people even more than technolo-gy. Comprehensive awareness and education-al programs are the key to achieving energy saving targets. The government shall lead by example and set the regulatory framework conditions. The private sector and NGOs need to play a significant role in sending the message to the broad public. Behavior change among private-sector actors can be motivated by workplace engagement programs, com-petitions, challenges, awareness campaigns, and other incentives that reward the best performers.

A C T I O N 5Establ ish an energy management and audit schemeMany countries have set mandatory energy management and audit regu-lations for large electricity consumers such as garment industries, hotels and shopping malls. A national program for certified energy managers and auditors will be required to develop local know-how. Energy management will not only save energy and money in industries and buildings but also create new jobs for the young Cambodian workforce.

A C T I O N 3Develop and enforce energy eff i -c iency labels for appl iancesMME is currently developing the Sub-de-cree on Energy Efficiency Labels. When enacted energy consuming household devices like air-conditioners, refrigera-tors, and light bulbs can only be sold in Cambodia if they carry the Khmer star en-ergy label. Energy efficiency labels pro-vide consumers with information on the efficiency of a product. The regulation will also set minimum energy performance requirements to ban the import of in-ef-ficient appliances in the country.

A C T I O N 6Enable incent ives and f inancing for energy eff ic iencyIncentives and finance can help energy effi-ciency projects to overcome economic bar-riers, such as those related to high upfront costs. Incentives like grants and rebates, as well as tax incentives, help pay down some of the upfront cost of investing in energy efficiency. Non-monetary incentives, such as granting developers priority processing of permits or a greater allowed floor area, may be attractive to the private market while requiring little or no investment by the government. Green bonds, energy-efficiency credit lines, and risk-sharing facilities are possible financing solutions to drive the energy efficiency market in the coun-try.

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1Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction

W h e r e w e s t a n d n o w ? —Cambodia is a booming lower mid-dle-income country where the newly emerging middle class is adopting more resource-intensive life-styles. Conse-quently, electricity consumption per cap-ita has risen sharply within recent years. The government is struggling to catch up with the power demand growth. The country-wide adoption of energy con-servation and energy efficiency practic-es is essential to ensure a low-carbon development path. First initiatives have shown that energy efficiency does not only reduce carbon emission but also saves money in energy bills. The Royal government of Cambodia now has the opportunity to set the stage for transfor-mation towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient society.

B e n e f i t s—Economic development: Energy expenditure makes up a significant share of a household or business budget. Increasing energy productivity through energy efficiency measures has the potential to slow the growth of ener-gy demand in Cambodia. Each additional $1 spent on energy efficiency avoids more than $2, on average, invested in new power plants.1 Energy efficiency frees up capital for other strategic investments, helping the gov-ernment face multiple competing demands for scarce financial resources.

Social benefits: Energy efficiency can stretch existing electricity resources further, helping to provide better energy access, reliability, and security. It will also help to keep electricity prices low and affordable. A more energy efficient transport sector reduces air pollution lowering the health risk for Cambodia’s urban population. Energy-efficient buildings are more com-fortable and healthier; people working in a healthy environment are more productive. Establishing an energy efficiency market in Cambodia will cre-ate thousands of new jobs providing the country’s young workforce new income opportunities.

Environmental sustainability: Energy efficiency has tremendous potential to boost economic growth and avoid greenhouse gas emissions. Most of EE technologies are commercially available today, and many of them de-liver positive financial returns within relatively short payback periods. In Cambodia, cumulative GHG emission savings from energy efficiency could amount to 48 Million tons in 2040. This is equivalent to 3 billion tree seed-lings grown for ten years.

1 WRI (2019). Retrieved from https://www.wri.org/blog/2016/05/4-surprising-ways-energy-efficient-buildings-benefit-cities

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Cool down smarterDuring the hot season, the use of air conditioners (ACs) might be unavoidable to have a comfortable night. Set point tem-peratures between 26 and 28 degree Celsius create a com-fortable indoor climate. You can save 3% of energy by raising the AC’s temperature by 1 degree Celsius.During the cooler months, you might not require the AC running the whole night. When you go to bed, use the timer function that can switch off the unit after a few hours. In this way, you can save a lot of the money you spend on cooling down your home right now.

Cool down with lessOpen windows and allow the breeze cool down your home early morning or during cooler evening hours. Natural venti-lation is free of cost. Using fans are less expensive to operate and maintain than air-conditioners. But remember to turn off the fans when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not rooms.

Keep the heat outside and the cold air insideClose doors and windows when your air conditioner is switched on. Seal air gaps around doors and windows to re-duce air leakage. Install solar screens, shutters or curtains and close to avoid that direct sun radiation heat up your home. The roof is responsible for a significant part of solar gains in hot climates. Paint your roof of light color, and you will save energy investing little money. Adding an insulation layer under the roof or on the suspended ceiling under the roof will keep the heat outside.

Keep your AC cleanFollow the cleaning schedule described in the manual of your AC equipment! Monthly cleaning of inside air filters allows the system to run efficiently. Split ACs must be cleaned by your technician every six months if you use them regularly.

S w i t c h o f f

Switch-off lights, fans, air-conditioners, TV,

and computers when not in use. Unneces-

sary operating household equipment con-

sumes electricity that you have to pay at

the end of the month. Also, avoid leaving

TVs and other devices on standby mode by

connecting them to a multiplug that can be

switch-off completely. It is a myth that you

will use less energy, leaving on the air-condi-

tioner while you are not home. What you are

really doing is wasting energy!

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Energy saving tips | Cut your energy bill at home!

E f f i c i e n t L i g h t i n g

R e p l a c e o l d i n e f f i c i e n t a p p l i a n c e s

Replace all incandescent by good-quality

LED light bulbs. This pays back immediately

by lowering your electricity bill. If you are

using CFL bulbs, replace them by LED when

they don’t work anymore.

Is your fridge or air conditioners at home

older than 5 years? Then you can save a lot

of energy when buying a new energy effi-

cient appliance. The investment will payback

in less than 1 year. Look out for energy labels

stickers placed on new devices in the shops.

Buy only 5-star labelled refrigerator, freez-

ers, amd air-conditioners, and you lower

your electricity bill right now.

COOLING

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S w i t c h o f fRemind everyone in the office

to turn off their electronics at the end of the day. It’s important that every-one also power down electronics when they are not in use. Contrary to popular belief, shutting off your com-puter at the end of the day will not

shorten its lifespan and can save a lot of energy.

S m a r t a n d e f f i c i e n t l i g h t i n g

Replace all incandescent and CFL bulbs by good-quality energy-efficient LED light bulbs. This pays back immediately by lowering your electricity bill. The eas-iest way to keep lights off when they’re not in use are occupancy sensors. Con-sider installing such sensors in bath-rooms, staircases, and corridors where

continuous lighting is not required.

L e s s e n e r g y f o r c o o l i n g

Close doors and windows when your air conditioner is switched on. Seal air gaps around doors and windows and apply weather stripping to prevent energy loss that drives up cooling energy bills. Operate the ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout the room and operate the air conditioner at a high-er temperature. Changing your AC settings by

as little as one degree Celsius could reduce your annual bill

by up to 3%.

P r o t e c t y o u r w i n d o w s f r o m

t h e h e a tMany office buildings in Cambodia have

large glazing areas to provide a modern look and good daylighting. Having your desk next to the window might be uncomfortably hot. Let in the light, not the heat by applying a sun protecting window film where direct sunlight shines several hours into your office. This will reduce the energy bill for your cooling system.

You can also install shades, blinds, and other sun-blocking

devices instead.

U s e p o w e r m a n a g e m e n t s e t t i n g sOn computers, printers, and other pieces of office equipment, use the recommended power management settings to shut them off or go into

hibernate mode when technology is not in use.

R e g u l a r m a i n t e n a n c e f o r e f f i c i e n t c o o l i n g

Make sure that your HVAC system is cleaned and maintained on a routine basis. Follow the cleaning schedule in-structed by the manufacturer of your AC equipment. A clean and working HVAC system will help to reduce your energy

bills and make sure your employees feel comfortable

I n s t a l l s m a r t e n e r g y m e t e r s

Smart energy meters can display your electricity usage in real time, so you see ex-actly how much you’re spending on energy. Smart meters are becoming more popular than ever in offices — and they could help save you money. Brainstorm with your green team on new energy saving measures. Behav-ior changes can lead up to 20% of electricity savings at zero cost. Try out new energy saving

strategies and see in real-time how much energy you save.

Instal l a variable refr igerant f low (VRF)

cool ing systemFor larger offices, we recommend the instal-lation of energy efficient VRF Cooling sys-tems. This will not only reduce your electric-ity bill but also improve the thermal comfort and air quality in your office. Studies around the world have shown that a more comfort-able working environment increases the pro-

ductivity of your employees.

R e d u c e s t a n d b y l o s s e s

Most appliances constantly use energy because of standby settings. These energy losses cannot be turned off with-out unplugging the device altogether. Al-though this may be true for some chargers, most chargers use “standby power” while plugged in but not connected to their de-vice. The only way is to connect electrical

appliances to a multiplug that can be switch-off entirely at the

end of the day.

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Save energy at your office | Energy saving tips

S E T U P A G R E E N D R E A M T E A MEngage your staff in energy saving and other sustainability challenges by forming a green team in your office. A green team is typically a few people that get together once a month and discuss ways to make the office eco-friendlier and reduce energy use. The green team might create an office policy to ensure all the lights in your office are turned off, including lights in bathrooms, kitchen areas, and meeting rooms. Join an energy efficiency competition and compete with another office in achieving energy savings. If everyone in your organization is aware about saving opportunities and changes its behavior accordingly, you can save up to 15% of your electricity bill.

Running a business can be expensive, from employee salaries to maintaining the office building. Sav-ing energy in the office can help reduce energy bill of your company or organization and reduce your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Here is a practical guide on how you can save energy in the office in several ways.