KAMPOT, Cambodia 12/9/11 (PennWell) -- Cambodia's 193.2-MW Kamchay Dam was inaugurated this week and marks an important step in the country's effort to move away from oil-fueled electricity, according to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The hydropower facility was constructed by China-based Sinohydro Corporation for a cost of US$280 million under a 44-year build-operate-transfer contract.

Under terms of the agreement, Sinohydro will sell power to the state-owned Electricity of Cambodia.

The Kamchay hydroelectric facility is one of five in a 915-MW, $1.6 billion makeover that is being funded primarily by Chinese investors.

The 18-MW Kirirom III, 246-MW Tatay River, 120-MW Atay and 338 Russei Chrum Krom hydropower projects will all be completed by 2015, according to Cambodia's Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy.