The Lower Sesan II Dam hydropower plant will start generating 50MW of power by October this year, four months ahead of schedule, according to a senior government official. Energy Ministry Director-General Victor Jona said once the dam is fully operational in 2018, it will be capable of generating 400MW. The $800mn Lower Sesan II Dam is 80 meters tall and covers a 36,000-hectare plot. The Royal Group owns a 39% stake, while Chinese company Hydrolancang International Energy holds 51% and Vietnamese firm EVN 10%.  According to government estimates, the dam could generate about $30mn in tax revenue per year when it goes fully operational. The power plant will be transferred to the government after being operated by the private sector for 40 years. After the dam goes online, Cambodia will be able to reduce its reliance on purchasing power from neighboring countries by about 10%, Jona said. Electricite Du Cambodge Director-General Keo Rattanak, said the country is now using about 2,000MW of power annually, less than 20% of which is imported from Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. He added that Cambodia is expected to have enough of its own electricity by 2020. (Source: Khmer Times)