Provincial authorities in Cambodia have launched an investigation into SchneiTec Co. after the developer allegedly cleared land inside protected wildlife sanctuaries. Has Vibol, director of the Mondulkiri Environment Department, stated that the company may have cleared the “wrong location” along the borders of the Phnom Prich and Keo Seima sanctuaries between July 18 and 20.

While officials have ordered a halt to excavation activities and summoned the company for questioning, the extent of the damage remains under review. Although the Environment Department estimated the cleared area at approximately half a hectare, on-site observations suggested the impact, including road construction, may be more significant. Vibol noted that while the company had received approval for a nearby site, they must now account for this potential “technical error.”

The project is part of a broader 900-megawatt wind farm initiative intended to bolster Cambodia’s renewable energy capacity. SchneiTec’s specific contribution involves the installation of 49 turbines across nearly 40 hectares, with the majority of the infrastructure planned within the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. In its impact assessment, the company stated the project would provide economic benefits and contribute to climate change mitigation, asserting that community consultations had taken place.

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However, the project has faced pushback from local Indigenous Bunong communities. Residents expressed concerns regarding the loss of ancestral forests, the disruption of wildlife habitats, and limited access to traditional lands. Some community members had previously hoped to develop the area for ecotourism.

Ty Sophal, director of the Mondulkiri Department of Mines and Energy, defended the project, stating that the government had weighed the environmental and social impacts against the national need for energy independence. Construction for the wind farm is scheduled for completion by mid-2027 as the government works toward its goal of having 70% of its electricity capacity come from renewable sources by 2030.

Source: CamboJA News