Nearly a year after Vietnam’s issuance of its National Power Development Plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 (“PDP VIII”), the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 262/QD-TTg dated April 1, 2024, approving the Implementation Plan for PDP VIII (“Implementation Plan”). Among other contents, the Implementation Plan sets forth the list of prioritized power source projects through 2030, and the capacity of renewable energy sources through 2030, as detailed below. Prioritized Power Source Projects through 2030 The Implementation Plan lists out six types of power source projects prioritized for development through 2023 according to the capacity approved under PDP VIII. They include: Domestic gas-fired power (14,930 MW) LNG-fired power (22,400 MW) Coal-fired power (30,127 MW) Cogeneration power using residual heat, blast furnace gas, and by-products of technological lines in industrial facilities (2,700 MW) Hydropower (29,346 MW) Pumped storage hydropower (2,400 MW) With respect to each type, the Implementation Plan provides details of projects by location and their operational progress. Such information is set out in Schedule III of the Implementation Plan. For power source projects not included in this list, the provincial People’s Committees will consult with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (“MOIT”) and relevant agencies on compliance with the planning prior to appraisal and issuance of in-principle investment approval. Renewable Energy Projects through 2030 The Implementation Plan allocates the capacity of the following renewable energy sources by locality/region: Offshore wind power (6,000 MW) Onshore wind power (21,880 MW) Hydroelectric power (29,346 MW) Biomass electricity (1,088 MW) Electricity produced from waste (1,182 MW) Rooftop solar power for self-production and self-consumption (2,600 MW) Battery storage (300 MW) With respect to each renewable energy source, the Implementation Plan provides a list of certain renewable energy projects through 2030, including the expected life cycle of the projects, and the allocated capacity

On November 4, 2021, Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) issued a Prakas No. 0305 on Management of the Steam Energy Subsector within the Energy Sector. The prakas aims to regulate steam energy operations, and requires companies wishing to develop, build, install, or operate steam energy to apply for a steam energy license. As this is the first prakas regulating steam energy operations in Cambodia, all relevant companies operating in steam energy must apply for a steam energy license with the MME. Prakas 0305 discusses permits for three types of activities: Development, Construction, Installation, and Operation of Steam Energy. Companies wishing to develop, build, install, and operate steam energy production facilities must first apply for a permit from the MME. Steam Energy Service Provision. Companies wishing to develop, build, install, and operate steam energy for the purpose of supplying steam energy to consumers must apply for a permit for steam energy service provider in addition to a permit for development, construction, installation, and operation of steam energy. Two-in-One Steam Energy and Electricity Production. Companies wishing to develop and operate both steam energy and electricity production activities must also apply for a permit for two-in-one steam energy and electricity production. Companies operating without the necessary permits are subject to a daily fine of KHR 400,000–4,000,000 (approx. USD 100–1,000). In addition, they may face other penalties, including: An order to halt business activities; Permit suspension; Permit revocation; Judicial action; and Other legal measures as the MME deems fit. For more information on regulations and requirements for steam energy licenses in Cambodia, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected].

Thailand’s Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) has developed a framework to regulate carbon capture and storage (CCS) and related activities by introducing “carbon business” to the draft amendment to the Petroleum Act B.E. 2514 (1971). CCS involves the capture, treatment, transport, and underground storage of carbon dioxide produced from industrial power generation. The captured carbon can be used to enhance oil recovery, converted into fuel such as methane or DME (dimethyl ether), or converted to higher-value products. In Thailand, various companies have carried out CCS feasibility studies. Carbon Business and Licensing Under the draft amendment to the Petroleum Act, “carbon business” is defined as exploration for purposes of carbon storage or compression of carbon into carbon storage, while “carbon” is defined as carbon dioxide in the state of gas or supercritical fluid generated as a byproduct or captured from other sources and transported for storage. Any concessionaire, product-sharing contractor, or service contract holder that has been granted permission to explore for or produce petroleum under the Petroleum Act can apply for a carbon business license from the director-general of the DMF with the approval of the Petroleum Committee. Licenses are also available to any other parties who meet the eligibility criteria to be prescribed later by a ministerial regulation. Licenses for these parties will be allocated through competitive bidding according to procedures to be announced by the minister of the Ministry of Energy (MOE). In granting a license, the minister of the MOE and the director-general of the DMF will consider the geological suitability of carbon storage, storage systems, surrounding areas of carbon storage, risk of carbon leakage and movement, environmental impacts, and the applicant’s financial potential and ability in environmental management. Responsibilities of Carbon Business Operators Carbon business operators are required to monitor and inspect their installations, structures,

On December 15, 2023, the Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC) issued a notification requiring all owners of solar power systems to report their systems to their local electricity supplier by January 31, 2024. Systems that have already been reported under existing regulations are exempt from this requirement. Systems that remain unreported after the deadline will be deemed illegal and subject to penalties, including possible disconnection from the national grid. The rationale for the reporting requirement is that the EAC expects to adopt a new solar power regulation soon. Electricite du Cambodge (the main state-owned utility provider in Cambodia) and EAC-licensed private electricity providers are now gathering data on the current use of solar power systems in order to prepare for, adopt, and execute the upcoming regulation. The reporting requirement is to facilitate this gathering of data. The upcoming regulation, planned for early 2024 according to the notification, follows last year’s Prakas No. 159, which contained the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s guidelines and principles for rooftop solar systems. The EAC now needs to issue implementing regulations that are in line with the ministry’s guidelines and principles. Although stand-alone solar power systems that did not have a connection to the national grid were previously not regulated and did not require any authorizations, the EAC is now stating that all types of solar power systems need to adhere to the reporting requirement under the notification. According to the EAC, the upcoming regulation will address all types of systems, and the December 15 notification clearly announces that all types of solar power systems will need to obtain EAC approval under the upcoming regulation. Solar power system operators in Cambodia should report their systems to their local electricity providers by January 31, 2024, to avoid any penalties, while remaining vigilant for the upcoming