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Preah Sihanouk Energy and Petrochemical
Preah Sihanouk Province is emerging as Cambodia’s leading energy and petrochemical hub, offering prime opportunities for investors. With the country’s first major oil refinery and petrochemical complex underway, the province is set to supply fuels, plastics, and chemical inputs to both domestic and regional markets. Its deep-sea port and logistics connectivity make it ideal for LNG terminals, bonded fuel storage and marine bunkering. Growing demand from industrial zones and port operations also creates space for renewable energy projects like solar, offshore wind and green hydrogen. For energy and petrochemical investors, Preah Sihanouk offers a strategic, future-oriented entry point into Cambodia coastal industrial growth.
With increasing energy demand and power diversification goals, Preah Sihanouk is emerging as a candidate for LNG terminal development. Ongoing feasibility assessments explore the construction of floating or onshore LNG terminals to import natural gas, which can support industrial, power generation and port-related operations. Future LNG infrastructure could serve as a cleaner energy alternative and anchor Preah Sihanouk’s role as a regional energy import gateway for Cambodia’s western and southern corridors.
Oil Refining and Petrochemical Base
Preah Sihanouk Province has been designated as a strategic location for Cambodia’s first large-scale oil refinery and petrochemical complex. The Cambodia Petroleum Refinery project, led by a joint venture between local and Chinese partners, aims to produce refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to meet domestic demand and reduce dependency on imports. The site selection in Preah Sihanouk reflects access to deep-sea port logistics, connectivity to inland consumption centers and proximity to potential offshore oil and gas blocks. Beyond refining, the vision includes downstream petrochemical production such as plastics, synthetic resins and chemical feedstocks, positioning the province as a future petrochemical hub.
Power Generation and Transmission
The province plays a crucial role in Cambodia's coastal power grid, supplying electricity to industrial zones, ports and tourism infrastructure. While historically reliant on imported electricity and fossil fuels, recent investments have added domestic coal-fired power plants and renewable energy inputs. Opportunities exist to integrate solar farms, waste-to-energy facilities and natural gas-based power plants to support sustainable industrialization. Upgrading transmission lines and establishing power redundancy will be key for supporting energy-intensive sectors like petrochemicals, cold chain logistics and light manufacturing within the special economic zones.
With direct access to Cambodia’s only deep-water port, Preah Sihanouk offers a strategic base for fuel logistics and distribution. Existing facilities already handle bulk imports and inland fuel distribution for the southern region, but surging industrial activity and trade volumes are creating strong demand for expanded capacity. Investors have a timely opportunity to develop modern fuel infrastructure such as refined product storage, compliant tank farms, and bonded fuel warehouses to serve not only domestic transport and industry but also the fast-growing marine and export manufacturing sectors. The province’s logistics advantage makes it a natural anchor for long-term energy-related investments.
Renewable Energy and Industrial Decarbonization
Although still nascent, the province has long-term potential for renewable energy integration, particularly solar and offshore wind, given its coastal geography and land availability. As industrial parks and petrochemical zones develop, the adoption of green energy solutions and low-carbon industrial design will become increasingly important. Preah Sihanouk could pioneer renewable integration models in Cambodia, including solar rooftops for factories, hybrid energy storage systems, and green hydrogen pilots linked to the petrochemical value chain.
