Okra – Steung Chrov Project (Cambodia)

This case study describes the implementation of an Okra Solar mesh-grid system in the remote villages of Steung Chrov, Ta Daok, and Prek Spean in Cambodia. The project aimed to provide a commercially sustainable alternative to national grid extension and diesel mini-grids for low-density, remote populations.

• The project deployed a 50 kWp / 300 kWh mesh-grid system using Okra Solar's 'Pod' hardware and 'Harvest' software to electrify 140 households across three villages: Steung Chrov, Ta Daok, and Prek Spean. The installation was completed in less than eight weeks and provided appliances including 49 rice cookers, 8 blenders, 7 kettles, and 2 fridges.
• The total cost of the project was approximately USD 120,000, which covered shipping, installation, and two years of SaaS fees for remote management via the Okra Harvest platform. While the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) is calculated at USD 0.45/kWh over seven years, the community pays a subsidised tariff averaging 640 Riel/kWh ($0.16/kWh).
• The project was initiated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) with support from the Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The system is currently managed by a village committee responsible for maintenance and tariff setting, and it is considered sustainable regarding ongoing operations and maintenance costs under full utilisation.
• The Cambodian government sought alternative solutions for the remaining off-grid villages because extending the national grid to remote, low-density areas is not practical or viable, and conventional methods like diesel or solar-diesel hybrid mini-grids have lacked commercial viability.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2021). Okra – Steung Chrov Project (Cambodia). https://renewelec.org/case-study/okra-steung-chrov-project-cambodia/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. Okra – Steung Chrov Project (Cambodia). 2021. https://renewelec.org/case-study/okra-steung-chrov-project-cambodia/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=Okra – Steung Chrov Project (Cambodia) |date=18 May 2021 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/okra-steung-chrov-project-cambodia/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2021okra, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{Okra – Steung Chrov Project (Cambodia)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2021}, month = may, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/okra-steung-chrov-project-cambodia/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }