Cambodia has launched a four year project to promote biomass energy in its industrial sector, the Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

The country’s Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy has begun a $5.6 million (£3.6m) project for renewable projects using biomass, supported by UN cash, officials said.

The scheme will cover five sectors, including food processing, clothes factories, brick kilns, rubber production and rice milling, the project coordinator Chea Chan Thou said.

“The project is a great help for industries in saving production cost, improving product quality and productivity, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emission by transferring new appropriate biomass-based technologies for power generation,” he said.

Two thirds of Cambodia’ primary energy supply – that is, the fuel used by generators to make power – comes from biofuels and waste, according to International Energy Agency figures from 2009, while the rest is from oil.