We are delighted to announce Ol Chin, Wedu ISA member and ITL graduate from Cambodia, as a finalist for the 2025 Wedu Women’s Leadership Awards in the Earth Advocate Award category.

Ol is pioneering renewable energy solutions tailored to Cambodia’s agricultural sector, ensuring that clean technologies are both accessible and sustainable for rural communities. At EcoSun Cambodia, she helped develop and scale mobile solar water pumps that provide smallholder farmers with affordable, climate-friendly alternatives to costly diesel-powered irrigation. Her hands-on field research meant these innovations were continually refined with user feedback, ensuring they were not only technically sound but locally appropriate.

Later, as Project Manager at Solar Green Energy Cambodia (SOGE), she led the market introduction of advanced solar systems, including smart irrigation and hybrid solar solutions, designed to withstand rural conditions and deliver long-term impact. Now, as a Renewable Energy Specialist at the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), Ol Chin continues to align engineering expertise with climate adaptation priorities, developing climate-proof energy systems for remote communities.

Connection to the Earth Advocate Award

Ol’s leadership is grounded in Cambodia’s rural realities. She has worked directly with farmers to address urgent challenges such as energy access, rising costs, and climate vulnerability. Her innovations have transformed solar irrigation into a reliable alternative to fossil fuels—boosting agricultural productivity, reducing environmental harm, and improving livelihoods.

Her achievements include the deployment of more than 630 portable solar water pumps to rural farmers within one year, following successful pilot testing with 40 users. These pumps have reduced costs, cut fossil fuel dependency, and supported climate resilience for hundreds of families. By bridging engineering expertise with farmer-centred design, she has shown how renewable energy can serve as a cornerstone for both sustainability and equity in Cambodia.

Mobilising Change

Beyond technical innovation, Ol has demonstrated outstanding leadership in building coalitions for clean energy. She has mobilised partnerships among social enterprises, government agencies, and grassroots communities to scale solar solutions from prototype to nationwide roll-out.

Through Wedu’s mentorship and income-sharing agreement, she has further sharpened her leadership skills, enabling her to advocate for renewable energy at the national level. Her current role at CAPRED positions her as a catalyst for systemic change, influencing policies and projects that embed sustainable energy into Cambodia’s climate adaptation strategies.

Why Ol Stands Out

Ol ’s journey exemplifies the power of women’s leadership in shaping sustainable futures. By combining engineering innovation, community engagement, and policy influence, she is helping to secure a greener, fairer, and more resilient Cambodia.

Connect with Ol on LinkedIn and Instagram

RSVP to take part in the celebrations

On September 30 we will announce the awardees of the four Wedu Women’s Leadership Awards at our digital celebration taking place at 6PM ICT. RSVP to join us