CBC Business Mission to Cambodia: Charting a Cleantech Future with H.R.H. Prince Narithipong Norodom

In recent weeks, the CleanTech Business Club (CBC) had honour of visiting Cambodia to meet with H.R.H. Prince Narithipong Norodom, CBC Chair for Cambodia. This visit marks a pivotal moment in aligning CBC’s global cleantech ambitions with Cambodia’s national development agenda.

Cambodia’s current energy & mobility landscape

Cambodia stands amid a significant energy transformation. The country has made considerable strides toward renewable energy: by 2023, renewables (including solar, hydro, biomass) accounted for some 57 % of its electricity generation. The government has set an ambition to raise that share to 70 % by 2030. To achieve this, Cambodia is expanding solar capacity, exploring wind, and strengthening grid resilience.

On mobility, Cambodia is starting to embrace the electric vehicle (EV) era. A standout example: Chinese EV major BYD has broken ground on a passenger vehicle factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, with capacity for 10 000 vehicles annually — a clear signal of momentum in the region.

Importantly, Cambodia is also expanding cross-border power trade. In the next two years, it plans to increase its power import capacity by over 50 %, importing 300 MW of solar and hydro from Laos (starting 2026) and expanding agreements with Vietnam and Thailand. This hints at a future where Cambodia could become both a producer and exporter of clean energy.

In the agricultural sector, renewable energy and cleantech solutions are already playing a transformative role. Solar-powered irrigation, off-grid micro-grids, biogas systems (from agricultural residues), and smart water management systems can increase yield, reduce costs, and improve resilience to climate stress. Given the country’s heavy reliance on agriculture, this nexus between clean energy and food systems is a strategic lever.

From importer to exporter: a transformative vision

Today, Cambodia still imports a significant share of its electricity from neighbouring countries. Yet the long-term vision is clear: with abundant solar potential, expanding hydropower, and emerging storage and hydrogen solutions, Cambodia has the chance to become an energy exporter instead of an importer.

This aspiration aligns with regional dynamics, as countries like Singapore are already seeking to secure clean power imports from Southeast Asia. By investing in renewable generation, storage, and clean hydrogen production, Cambodia could position itself as a net clean energy exporter, creating new revenue streams, strengthening energy security, and driving sustainable economic growth.

Clean hydrogen in particular holds promise as a bridge between Cambodia’s domestic transition and export ambitions. With strong solar and hydro resources, Cambodia can generate cost-competitive green hydrogen to support regional industries, decarbonise mobility, and integrate into ASEAN’s future hydrogen corridors.

Hydrogen Horizons for Cambodia

Abundant Renewable Potential — Solar and hydro resources make Cambodia well-positioned to produce cost-competitive green hydrogen.
Export Opportunities — Hydrogen could enable Cambodia to move from an energy importer to an exporter, supplying clean fuels to ASEAN partners and even Singapore.
Industrial Applications — Green hydrogen can decarbonise cement, fertilizer, and other heavy industries critical to Cambodia’s economy.
Clean Mobility — Hydrogen-powered buses, trucks, and two-wheelers can complement EV deployment and improve air quality in urban centres.
Regional Integration — Aligning with future ASEAN hydrogen corridors, Cambodia can position itself as a hub in regional supply chains.

Youth, ambition & cleantech leadership

Cambodia is a young nation: over 65 % of its population are under the age of 30. This demographic offers enormous potential. The country’s young people are increasingly tech-savvy, entrepreneurial, and eager to engage in disruptive technologies. Many are seeking pathways into sectors that can deliver impact and modern livelihoods.

It is here that H.R.H. Prince Narithipong’s vision is particularly compelling. His ambition is nothing less than to transform Cambodia into a cleantech leader — to harness new technologies as engines of economic development, job creation, and sustainability. His role as CBC Chair for Cambodia is a bold commitment toward that future.

A royal encounter: history, heritage & motivation

During the mission, the CBC delegation had the privilege to visit the Royal Palace together with Prince Narithipong. It was deeply touching to stand inside the Throne Room and to learn firsthand about the rich history of Cambodia, the Khmer Empire’s pivotal role in shaping Southeast Asia, and the legacy of the Cambodian Royal Family. Experiencing this heritage directly from a member of the Royal Family was profoundly enriching and offered a deeper cultural perspective. It also served as an inspiring motivation to work even harder together on accelerating the cleantech transformation of the country — honouring its history while building a regenerative future.

Inspired by CBC Morocco: building competitive ecosystems

Prince Narithipong was particularly impressed by the CBC #TogetherWeAreStronger Consortium & Ecosystem in Morocco, driven by its strategical joint venture GFHA (Go For Hydrogen Africa), which serve as a strategic Clean Hydrogen Epicenter for both Morocco and the African continent. He highlighted that this type of collaboration — combining international know-how with local dynamism and devotion — is exactly what emerging countries like Cambodia need to build skills, develop competitive projects, manufacture locally for domestic and export markets, and leverage cost advantages.

Recognising this, Prince Narithipong has also confirmed his participation in the official opening of the Joint Center of Excellence in Clean Hydrogen at the EHTP Campus in Casablanca in December 2025. His presence will underscore Cambodia’s commitment to learning from global best practices and adapting them to local realities.

The CBC Global CleanTech Golf Clubs Alliance & future collaborations

As part of this mission, Prince Narithipong will assume the role of Chair of the upcoming CBC Global CleanTech Golf Clubs Alliance. This alliance will be officially launched in December 2025 during the opening of the Joint Center in Casablanca. The inaugural event will include the CBC Morocco CleanTech Leaders Golf Invitational at Mohammedia Royal Golf Club, under the theme: “Honouring Legacy, Shaping the Regenerative Future – Together on the Road to the Global CleanTech Leaders Golf Cup.”

Connecting Cambodia to global opportunities

We are also delighted to welcome Prince Nari as part of our CBC High-Level Delegations to SNEC H2 & ES (Shanghai) and REI India (New Delhi), both in October 2025. These occasions will create unique opportunities for CBC Members and Partners to explore joint business opportunities in Cambodia and strengthen ties with local stakeholders — embodying our ethos that #TogetherWeAreStronger.

Following his participation in China, India, Morocco, and Monaco, and after aligning more closely with CBC Members and Partners on real joint opportunities, we will organise the CBC Business Mission to Cambodia in March 2026 — providing a concrete platform to advance collaborations and investment opportunities in the country.

Outlook & pathways forward

The CBC Business Mission to Cambodia is more than a diplomatic visit — it is a statement of intent. The pathways ahead are clear:

Deep collaboration in renewables, storage, hydrogen, and grid integration
Focused pilots in electric mobility, smart agriculture, water-energy systems
Youth engagement and capacity building for tomorrow’s innovators
Facilitating cross-border energy trade and export opportunities
Leveraging global networks (CBC, alliances, partners) to integrate Cambodia into the global clean technology ecosystem

With the leadership of H.R.H. Prince Narithipong, and the enthusiasm of Cambodia’s youth, CBC is committed to walking this journey side by side — transforming ambition into impact, and helping Cambodia emerge as both a national cleantech leader and a regional clean energy and hydrogen exporter as #TogetherWeAreStronger !