Kamchay is a 194 MW hydro power station in Kampot, Cambodia. It is operated by Sinohydro Corp Ltd [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 194k homes (estimated). It ranks #15 of 27 Cambodia power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2011, it is around 15 years old — relatively modern. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 29.9% of Cambodia's electricity; the national grid averages 499 gCO₂/kWh (40.9% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1026835.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000600375; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 194 MW, Kamchay is around the median hydro plant in Cambodia (194 MW). Technically it is described as conventional storage. Hydropower converts the energy of falling or flowing water into electricity; output depends on rainfall and reservoir level, and large dams also provide grid balancing and storage.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Cambodia hydro capacity
- 21.3% of 910 MW across 5 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 1 of 5 dated hydro plants in Cambodia is older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest hydro plants in Cambodia
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Sinohydro Corp Ltd [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 10.7°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
This site has effectively no heating season (tropical/equatorial climate), so winter heat loss is not the driver here. The thermal concern shifts to year-round process heat and humidity/heat-driven corrosion of hot equipment.
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), with humidity / wetness the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #3 largest hydro power plant of 5 in Cambodia by capacity.
Cambodia has 5 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 910 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Kampot power station · Coal · 540 MW · Sihanoukville
- CMIP · Solar · 9.8 MW · Kien Giang
- Sihanoukville SEZ power station · Coal · 100 MW · Sihanoukville
- Sihanoukville Diesel · Oil · 5 MW · Preah Sihanouk
- Ganh Dau power station · Coal · 200 MW ·
- Sihanoukville CIIDG power station · Coal · 405 MW · Preah Sihanouk
Location
Coordinates 10.7041, 104.1175 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Kamchay?
Kamchay is a 194 MW hydro power plant in Kampot, Cambodia, commissioned in 2011.
Who operates Kamchay?
Kamchay is operated by Sinohydro Corp Ltd [100%].