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Stung Atay Hydropower Plant
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The Stung Atay Hydropower Plant is located in the Veal Veng District of Pursat Province, deep within the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia. The facility harnesses the water of the Atay River and consists of two separate powerhouse units with a total installed capacity of approximately 120 megawatts. The project was developed by China Datang Corporation and was officially commissioned in 2014. It plays a significant role in supplying electricity to Cambodia's western provinces and contributes to the diversification of the national energy mix. Construction required complex engineering feats in a remote and difficult-to-access mountainous region. The plant is part of a broader plan to tap into the hydroelectric potential of the country's southwest. The infrastructure includes dams, penstocks, and a substation that feeds power into the national grid. Besides energy generation, the facility supports local infrastructure development through the construction of access roads into previously isolated areas. Environmental standards are monitored to minimize the impact on the surrounding rainforests.
- Location: Cambodia
- Nearby: Tatai (14 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
| Rain mm | 35 | 48 | 106 | 148 | 321 | 526 | 633 | 558 | 557 | 277 | 83 | 23 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
The Stung Atay Hydropower Plant stands as an important energy generation facility positioned in the remote landscapes of Cambodia's Pursat Province. It plays a highly significant role in enhancing the national power grid and supplying crucial electricity.
Visiting
Because it is a secure national infrastructure facility operating with high-voltage equipment, direct access into the power plant is strictly forbidden for casual tourists. Security gates and fences typically secure the immediate industrial zone.
Where to view it
The best visual impressions of the facility are generally obtained from public access roads winding through the province's remote terrain, where careful observers can spot the massive concrete structure and the surrounding electrical transmission infrastructure.
Local products
The immediate vicinity is highly isolated, so traditional tourist souvenirs or local products are not sold at the site. However, the energy produced here directly empowers nearby rural communities and small local enterprises developing in the province.
Active season
The plant generates electricity continually, but it often operates at peak capacity during and immediately following the heavy rains of the Southeast Asian monsoon season, which typically lasts from May to October, dramatically swelling the reservoir.
Nearby
A journey to this remote energy site is best paired with adventurous ecological exploration in the surrounding mountainous terrain, visiting traditional rural villages, or planning a rugged trek through the dense, pristine forests of Pursat Province.
Geography
Facts
- Total installed capacity of 120 megawatts.
- Consists of two separate power generation stages.
- Located in Veal Veng District, Pursat Province.
- Officially commissioned in 2014.
- Developed by China Datang Corporation.
- Construction cost was approximately $255 million.
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Notable places around
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Sights in the town Stung Atay Hydropower Plant (1)
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Stung Atay hydropower plant located?
It is located deep in the Cardamom Mountains in Pursat province.
Why is this location important?
It utilizes the high gradient and abundance of water in the remote mountain region.
Is the access route possible for tourists?
Access is very difficult and usually requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Which companies developed the project?
It was realized primarily through investments from China.
Is there accommodation there?
There are no hotels in the immediate vicinity, only simple quarters for workers.
Stung Atay Hydropower Plant: where is it located?
Stung Atay Hydropower Plant is located in Cambodia.
Stung Atay Hydropower Plant: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Stung Atay Hydropower Plant: why is it worth visiting?
The Stung Atay Hydropower Plant is located in the Veal Veng District of Pursat Province, deep within the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia.
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