PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked state institutions and citizens to save on electricity consumption as the government is reaching its first loss of electricity due to the crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions on Russia.

Speaking at a meeting with the delegation of the ASEAN Para Games on Wednesday morning, 6 July, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the state has made a loss on electricity on behalf of the people, to maintain electricity costs in the country. The Prime Minister estimated that in 2022, the government will spend more than US $100 million on electricity.

The Prime Minister said, "If the state considers the cost of electricity so far, the price of electricity has already doubled."

The Prime Minister ordered state institutions to be the first to start saving.

He said that the energy crisis was caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions placed on Russia, and if it continues until next year, the crisis will be even more serious.