The Asian Development Bank has approved a $18.6 million loan to rehabilitate electricity in eight provincial towns over the next three years.
More than 170,000 people will benefit from the project in the capitals of Banteay Meanchey, Kampot, Kompong Speu, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Stung Treng, Takeo and Ratanakkiri provinces, according to the ADB. Most towns will have new diesel generators and distribution lines to meet demand until the end of 2006.
“Economic growth in provincial towns is constrained by inadequate and high-priced electricity,” said Michael Bristol, the ADB’s project engineer. “External interventions are necessary to produce needed improvements in electricity supply.”
The bank expects electricity bills will fall by one-fourth by 2004. (Yuko Maeda)
