HEINEKEN Cambodia has donated 240 solar-powered streetlights to the Prek Eng commune of Chbar Ampov district in Phnom Penh, where the company’s brewery is based.

The handover ceremony was officiated in the presence of Cheng Monira, Governor of the board of Governors, local government officials and authorities, and members of the community.

The donation is part of the brewer’s series of initiatives to support Green Communities, which has planted more than 8,000 trees across four provinces, donated 790 solar-powered streetlights to four communities, and supported 1,800 families in need living in Chbar Ampov district, to date.

The solar streetlights will provide much-needed lighting powered by solar energy for the streets of Prek Eng, improving safety and security for residents and visitors.

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HEINEKEN Cambodia donates 240 solar-powered streetlights to the Prek Eng commune of Chbar Ampov district in Phnom Penh. Photo supplied.

Monira said, "We are grateful for the generous donation of solar street lighting by HEINEKEN Cambodia to the Prek Eng community. This is a great example of how the private sector can work together with the government and local communities to support sustainable development in the direct neighborhood.

"The solar street light poles will not only improve safety and security for residents, but also contribute to the overall well-being of the community. We thank HEINEKEN Cambodia for their commitment to making a positive impact and look forward to continuing to work together to create a brighter future for all."

During the ceremony, Anne de Graaf, Corporate Affairs Director of HEINEKEN Cambodia, expressed her hope on behalf of HEINEKEN Cambodia to continue the dialogue together on how to improve our shared environment, and that the project will indeed make a real difference in the daily lives of the residents of Prek Eng.

“At HEINEKEN Cambodia, we believe that we can only thrive if the communities around us thrive too. This is why we are here today to make this contribution to the sustainable development of the Prek Eng community," she said.

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"As we are deeply embedded within the social fabric of the community and economy we are a part of, we view it as our duty to conduct our business in a sustainable and responsible way, so we can Brew A Better Cambodia for current and new generations."

HEINEKEN Cambodia’s long-term ‘Brew a Better Cambodia’ ambition aims to raise the bar in making a positive contribution through three key pillars – Environmental Sustainability, Social Sustainability and Responsible Consumption – with the goal of contributing towards a net zero, fairer and healthier world.

The company’s brewery in Chbar Ampov recently reached an important milestone in the transition journey to renewable energy. In partnership with Berkeley Energy Commercial Industrial Solutions (BECIS), HEINEKEN Cambodia officially inaugurated a new biomass plant in September 2022, which is the country’s first large bioenergy plant of its kind.

With the new biomass facility, the brewery currently runs on 100 percent renewable thermal energy by using rice husks from local millers and farmers. Using rice husks as a fuel source turns agricultural and organic waste that would have been discarded into an additional source of income for the rice farming community.

HEINEKEN Cambodia sources 100 percent of rice locally in Cambodia, which is used for some of its beer recipes, such as those for its Anchor and Tiger brands.

To further maximize circularity in the rice value chain, HEINEKEN Cambodia has also joined forces with Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (CPSA) to support local farmers with capacity building. [Partnered Content]