What is the electricity voltage in Cambodia?
Cambodia uses 230V/50Hz electricity. Plug types are mixed — you will find Type A (US), Type C (European), and Type G (UK) outlets. Bring a universal adapter. Power outages occur 1-3 times monthly in Phnom Penh. Electricity costs $0.18-0.27/kWh.
- Voltage: 230V / 50Hz (same as Europe, Australia, UK)
- Plug types: Mixed — Type A, C, and G (bring universal adapter)
- Outages: 1-3/month in PP, more frequent in provinces
- Cost: $0.18-0.27/kWh — among highest in Southeast Asia
Overview of Electricity in Cambodia
Cambodia's electrical infrastructure has improved dramatically since the early 2000s when Phnom Penh had only 12-16 hours of power daily. Today, the capital enjoys near-continuous electricity with grid reliability of 95-98%. Provincial areas are catching up but still experience more frequent interruptions.
The country's electricity comes from a mix of hydropower (45%), coal (30%), imported power from neighboring countries (15%), and a growing share of solar and other renewables (10%). Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) is the main utility provider in Phnom Penh and major cities, while rural electrification enterprises serve provincial areas.
US/Japan travelers: Your 110V devices will NOT work directly in Cambodia's 230V outlets. Check all device labels for "100-240V" (dual voltage) before plugging in. Hair dryers and older electronics are the most common items that need a voltage converter.
Voltage & Plug Types
Cambodia's electrical system uses 230V at 50Hz. The plug situation is uniquely chaotic — the country never standardized on a single plug type, so you'll encounter a mix of international standards depending on who built the building.
| Specification | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 230V | Same as Europe, UK, Australia. US/Japan appliances (110V) need a converter or dual-voltage device. |
| Frequency | 50Hz | Same as Europe, Australia, most of Asia. US devices (60Hz) may run slightly slower (clocks, motors). |
| Plug types | Type A, C, G (mixed) | No single standard. Type A (US flat pins), Type C (European round pins), and Type G (UK 3-pin) are all found. Universal adapters recommended. |
| Grid reliability (PP) | 95-98% uptime | Phnom Penh has relatively reliable power. Outages 1-3 times per month, usually under 2 hours. |
| Grid reliability (provinces) | 80-90% uptime | Provincial areas experience more frequent and longer outages, especially during monsoon season (June-October). |
| Electricity cost | $0.18-0.27/kWh | Varies by usage tier and provider. Among the highest in Southeast Asia. Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) is the main utility. |
Type A (US/Japan) — 2 flat parallel pins
Common in newer buildings, hotels, and apartments built with mixed standards. Often found alongside Type C outlets.
Type C (European) — 2 round pins
Most common in residential buildings. Standard in many apartments and older construction. Compatible with Type E/F plugs.
Type G (UK/Singapore) — 3 large rectangular pins
Found in upscale condos, hotels, and buildings constructed by UK/Singapore developers. Individual switches on each outlet.
Universal outlets — Accepts multiple plug types
Increasingly common in new construction. Accepts Type A, C, and sometimes G plugs in one outlet. Quality varies widely.
Power Outages & What to Expect
Power outages are a fact of life in Cambodia, though they have decreased significantly in frequency and duration over the past decade. Understanding the patterns helps you prepare.
- Phnom Penh: 1-3 outages per month, typically 30 minutes to 2 hours. Scheduled maintenance outages are announced by EdC. Most common in hot season (March-May) when demand peaks from air conditioning.
- Siem Reap: 2-4 outages per month. Slightly less reliable than Phnom Penh. Hotels and resorts have backup generators.
- Sihanoukville: 3-5 outages per month. Rapid development has strained the grid. Construction areas experience more frequent cuts.
- Provincial areas: 5-10+ outages per month in some areas. Duration can extend to 4-8 hours. Some remote areas still lack grid connection entirely.
- Monsoon season (June-October): Outages increase across the country due to storms, flooding, and lightning damage to transformers.
Condo and apartment buildings: Most mid-range and upscale condominiums in Phnom Penh have building-level backup generators that activate within 30-60 seconds of a power cut. Ask about generator backup when apartment hunting — it's a significant quality-of-life factor.
Generators & UPS Systems
For reliable backup power, especially if you work from home or live outside central Phnom Penh, investing in a UPS and/or generator is highly recommended.
Portable generator (2-3 kW)
$300-600Fuel: Gasoline, $3-5/hour
Best for: Small apartments, essential appliances only (fridge, lights, fan, router)
Noise: Moderate to loud (65-75 dB)
Honda and Yamaha brands most reliable. Available at hardware stores on Russian Market perimeter. Requires outdoor ventilation.
Portable generator (5-8 kW)
$800-2,000Fuel: Gasoline/diesel, $5-10/hour
Best for: Large homes, small offices, running AC units
Noise: Loud (70-80 dB)
Can power 1-2 air conditioners plus essentials. Diesel models more fuel-efficient for longer outages. Professional installation recommended.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
$50-300Fuel: Battery (rechargeable)
Best for: Computers, routers, modems — short outages (15-60 min)
Noise: Silent
Essential for anyone working from home. APC brand widely available. 600VA ($50) for router/modem, 1500VA+ ($150-300) for computer setup.
Inverter battery system
$200-800Fuel: Battery bank (rechargeable)
Best for: Lights, fans, electronics — medium outages (2-6 hours)
Noise: Silent
Popular in provincial areas. Charges during grid power, provides DC power during outages. Luminous and Microtek brands available locally.
Solar Power Options
Cambodia is one of the best locations in Southeast Asia for solar power, with 4.5-5.5 peak sun hours daily year-round. Solar is increasingly viable for reducing electricity costs and achieving power independence.
Portable solar panel (100-200W)
$150-400Output: 100-200W peak
Best for: Phone/laptop charging, camping, emergency backup
Foldable panels from EcoFlow, Bluetti available on Shopee Cambodia. Pairs with portable power station.
Rooftop solar (3-5 kW)
$3,000-6,000Output: 12-20 kWh/day
Best for: Partial home power, reduces electricity bills 40-60%
Growing number of installers in PP. Net metering available from EdC. Payback period 4-6 years. Requires owned property or landlord permission.
Rooftop solar (8-15 kW)
$8,000-18,000Output: 30-60 kWh/day
Best for: Full home power with battery storage
Can achieve near-complete grid independence. Battery storage (Tesla Powerwall or local equivalents) adds $5,000-10,000. Best for owned villas.
Monthly Electricity Costs
Electricity in Cambodia is expensive by regional standards. Air conditioning is the single biggest factor in your bill — running AC 8 hours daily can add $60-150/month to your costs.
| Scenario | Monthly Usage | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment (minimal AC) | 100-200 kWh | $20-50/month |
| 1-bed apartment (moderate AC) | 200-400 kWh | $45-100/month |
| 2-bed apartment (regular AC) | 400-700 kWh | $80-180/month |
| Villa/house (full AC) | 800-1,500 kWh | $160-400/month |
| Office/coworking space | 500-2,000 kWh | $100-500/month |
Money-saving tips: Use inverter AC units (30-50% more efficient than fixed-speed). Set AC to 25-26 degrees C instead of 20. Use fans to supplement AC. Turn off AC when leaving. LED bulbs throughout. These habits can cut your bill by 30-40%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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