Rice husks to pump energy to the grid

Malaysian company PMTI Energy (Cambodia) Co has signed a 10-year deal to supply Electricite du Cambodge with 48,000 megawatts of energy derived from rice husks every year.

Phou Puy, president of PMTI, told the Post yesterday that about 70 per cent of the power generated from his biomass plant would be supplied to his own rice-milling company, Baitang Plc, as well as several other rice millers in Battambang province.

The remaining power, Puy said, would be sold to EdC.

“We have an abundance of rice husks, which can be turned into power,” Puy said.

“It is important for local rice millers because it will cost less than the power supplied by the state,” he added.

“For now, we are selling the remaining power to EdC, but I also plan to discuss with other rice millers where they can exchange their rice husk for power.”

Puy said that his biomass plant could generate 10 megawatts of power per hour at his biomass plant and that he was selling it to EdC for $0.09 per kilowatt.

Ty Thany, executive director at the Electricity Authority of Cambodia, confirmed yesterday that EdC planned to make use of the PMTI energy source during the dry season when the Kingdom’s dams produce less power.

“Though the amount is small, it helps us to reduce dependence on the imported power from Thailand and Vietnam,” he said.

Kan Khunthy, CEO of Brico, a rice milling company in Battambang, said yesterday that the high cost of power remained an issue for rice millers in Cambodia.

“I welcome it if the rice-husk plant is going to be a success and can supply power at a lower price,” Khunthy said.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rice-husks-pump-energy-grid