Ninh Thuan Province aspires to become Vietnam’s clean energy hub
Ninh Thuan Province aspires to become Vietnam’s clean energy hub
The south central coastal province of Ninh Thuan is seeking to become Vietnam’s renewable, clean energy hub.
Great potential, right direction
Meteorological data show that Ninh Thuan Province has the lowest rainfall in the country and abundant sunlight and wind resources, with wind speeds during 10 months of the year at 6.4-9.6 meters per second, which can ensure the stable operation of wind turbines.
Regarding solar power potential, the province boasts considerable solar radiation and a long sunshine duration, about 2,600-2,800 hours and 200 days each year, with solar radiation totaling over 230 kcal per square centimeter. The provincial people’s committee has given in principle approval to 37 solar power projects with total capacity of 2,576MW, of which 32 projects totaling 2,256MW in capacity have been put into commercial operation.
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Five local areas have been zoned for wind power development, with expected total capacity of 1,429MW, which can be raised to 2,000MW, according to the wind power development planning for 2011-2020 with a vision to 2030 approved by the Minister of Industry and Trade. A further 841MW has been added to this planning, following the prime minister’s approval. The provincial people’s committee has given in principle approval to 15 projects with a total capacity of 766.45MW, three of which, 181.55MW, have already been put into commercial operation and the remaining 12 projects are under investment.
Liquefied gas power
Ninh Thuan has also issued planning for the 6,000MW Ca Na liquefied natural gas (LNG) power center, and is selecting investors for its implementation. The prime minister approved the project’s phase 1 that has a capacity of 1,500MW, while phase 2 - 4,500MW - will be considered for approval in Power Plan VIII. The province is constructing infrastructure to serve the Ca Na LNG Power Complex’s Phase 1 and the Ca Na Industrial Zone.
Economists say the Ca Na LNG Power Complex will contribute to ensuring electricity supply for the southern region in order to overcome slow-moving power projects. The complex will also help increase the reliability of power supply, reduce losses associated with long-distance power transmission, improve the power quality in the southern region, and share the financial burden in power development investment shouldered by the power industry. In addition, the Ca Na LNG Power Complex helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote industry, transportation and services, and create business opportunities for local people and businesses.
Ninh Thuan is creating conditions for investors to build the 1,200MW Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project and a series of 220/500kV power transmission lines.
The 1,200MW Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project is the largest project of its kind in Southeast Asia, with a total investment of about VND21.1 trillion. Once in operation, the plant will help reduce the difference in the load chart when mobilizing pump capacity during off-peak hours and generating electricity at peak hours, thereby helping to stabilize the system and ensure stable, safe and reliable operation of the national electricity system.
According to provincial leaders, Ninh Thuan has the potential to develop energy projects with a total expected capacity of 20,000MW and is expected to become the largest renewable energy, clean energy center in Vietnam. Investment in renewable energy projects have greatly contributed to local socioeconomic development and to the local budget and creating more than 17,380 jobs.
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Policy improvement needed
To make Ninh Thuan become the country’s renewable, clean energy center, the provincial people’s committee has established and submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for appraisal the 2021-2030 planning for coastal wind power development with a vision to 2045, with total capacity of 4,380MW in three regions. The province proposed that the authority add thousands of MW of renewable, clean energy to the national Power Plan VIII in compliance with Politburo Resolution 55/NQ-TW.
It is hoped that development of large-scale energy projects will benefit the economy and help ensure national energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, confront climate change, attract private investment in power development and create jobs.
Ninh Thuan Province People’s Committee Chair Tran Quoc Nam said the province is seeking more mechanisms and policy support, such as supplementing renewable energy planning and developing power transmission lines.
Specifically, the province is seeking speedy legislation and policies on renewable and clean energy centers and development of power transmission systems strong enough to transmit power from Ninh Thuan to the national grid.
Other conditions required for the province to carry out its ambitious target include policies on finance, human resource training and technology transfer, product research and development, renewable energy support industry, international standard renewable energy databases and renewable energy research and development centers.
Ninh Thuan is paying attention to both environmental protection and socioeconomic development, with environmental impact assessments conducted for all renewable energy projects, Nam added.
| According to provincial leaders, Ninh Thuan has the potential to develop energy projects with a total capacity of 20,000MW and is expected to become the largest renewable energy, clean energy center in Vietnam. |
