France-based construction company Vinci has been awarded a €94 million contract to design and build an extension to Cambodia’s major water treatment plant. The municipal water supply authority for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, has commissioned Vinci’s Construction Grands Projets (CGR) division for the project.
The extension, a testament to Vinci’s capabilities, will serve the area of Bakheng in the north of Phnom Penh and aims to supply clean drinking water to about 750,000 people. This ambitious project is part of the Cambodian government’s program to ensure access to drinking water for the entire population by 2030. The extension, a massive undertaking, is expected to be operational by 2028, marking a significant milestone in Vinci’s journey towards sustainable development.
Vinci’s scope of work includes constructing a new raw water intake from the nearby Mekong River and a new water line that can treat 195,000 cubic meters (255,050 cubic yards) of water daily. During the peak of construction, the company will employ over 1,600 laborers, with the majority being Cambodian workers. Vinci plans to train women workers to account for 30% of the workforce, promoting gender diversity in the construction industry.
In addition to the construction itself, Vinci is dedicated to implementing sustainable initiatives and utilizing innovative technology in the project. The company’s use of concrete that emits 30% less carbon than standard local equivalents is a significant step towards reducing the environmental impact. Furthermore, Vinci’s installation of a 3,500-panel photovoltaic array covering 9,000 square meters (approximately 15% of the facility’s energy requirements) to harness solar energy is a beacon of hope for a greener future. The subsidiary of Vinci, WMI, has developed an innovative solution named Smart Users, which will be deployed to measure and manage water consumption at the construction site and facilities, including offices and the concrete plant, furthering their commitment to sustainability.
The completion of this water plant extension will significantly improve access to clean drinking water for thousands of people in Cambodia. It follows the successful completion of the first two phases of the plant, which currently supplies water to approximately two million people and was handed over in June 2023 and March 2024.
