Operational Themes -
Clean Energy Production
Technical card
Location: Cambodia
Dates: 2007 – in progress
Technical partners: International Agronomic Research Co-Operation Centre for Development (Centre de coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement – CIRAD), Cambodian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME), Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC), Energy Department, Takeo Community Forest Integrated Development Association (CFIDA), Local authorities, Takeo and Kampong Chhnang provinces, Cambodia
Beneficiaries:
- Small and medium-scale rural charcoal producers
- Forest-dependent communities
Description of action
In Cambodia, households use charcoal as their main fuel (40% in Phnom Penh). This demand itends to weaken in the capital but is growing exponentially in other urban centres where the rural middle classes are developing. A survival activity for local communities, charcoal production is a direct cause of deforestation around urban centres and an aggravating factor in the conversion of forested areas into farmland or plantations.
The stoves traditionally used are a source of environmental pollution and deforestation. At the end of 2003, the Yoshimura stove designed in Japan was introduced into the community forest of Takeo province, Cambodia. This stove allows combustion to be controlled more accurately, improves yields and shortens the carbonization process. It offers an energy saving of 35% compared to the traditional process. Following the results obtained, GERES Cambodia is preparing to extend the programme into mass dissemination of this technology.
GERES Cambodia Website
