[PHNOM PENH POST]
A RICE husk-powered power plant will officially open in Kampong Speu at
the end of the year, set to provide electricity to the district’s rice
millers, according to officials from operator Golden Rice Cambodia.
The
US$2 million generator is set to supply power to all of Golden Rice
Cambodia’s mills throughout Oudong district, with further plans to
expand the output to the public in the future, the General Manager Chan
Vuthy said yesterday.
“For the first time, we will supply
electricity to our rice processors, while in the future we also expect
to provide surrounding villages with power.”
The plant will
consume 5 tonnes of rice husk per hour, which is expected to generate
around 3 megawatts of electricity, he said, adding that the company’s
rice mills currently require a daily supply of 2.5 megawatts to operate.
The rice husk is the outer part of the rice, which is removed
during the milling process. Golden Rice Cambodia exported 10,000 tonnes
of jasmine rice to global markets in the first half of the year, with
the company capable of processing 400 tonnes to 500 tonnes of rice per
day, Chan Vuthy said.
“We process most of our rice for export to European countries, while also supplying the Asian continent.”
He
added that the new power source will allow the company to more than
double its export capacity, while reducing the fuel usage.
“We hope to see this new power generator increase our productivity for years to come,” Chan Vuthy said.
Ministry
officials also highlighted the importance of the introduction rice
husk-powered mills to increasing the Kingdom’s productivity.
“I
think rice exports are set to increase, due to the more competitive
prices from using this alternative power source, Ministry of Industry,
Mines and Energy Industry Department Director General Meng Saktheara
said yesterday.
“We should seize this opportunity in an attempt to increase producers’ income and the whole sector".
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