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"