PURSAT, Cambodia — In a country that once struggled with blackouts, Cambodian Power Grid Company, or CPG, now uses robots, drones, and AI to keep the lights on, while training local staff members to take the helm.
Starting operations in February 2013, the Chinese-invested CPG's 230-kilovolt transmission line delivers electricity from the 120-megawatt Stung Atay hydroelectric plant in Pursat Province, as well as other hydropower stations, to multiple regions across Cambodia, including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Pursat and Battambang.
Im Chhun, a power system operator of the CPG, said these projects ensure a reliable energy supply while facilitating the transfer of technical expertise from Chinese specialists to Cambodian staff.
According to Chhun, CPG has adopted advanced technologies to guarantee a stable power supply and employees have received comprehensive training to operate high-tech equipment.
"Currently, we can use robots to monitor equipment temperatures and operational status, and those robots will report directly to on-duty operators," he said. "We also use AI to assess damage and analyze weather forecasts, which are critical to power production."
