The construction of the first phase of a 40.5MW wind power plant began on May 19 in Thuan Bac district, the south-central coastal province of Ninh Thuan.

The two-phase Cong Hai 1 wind farm using Russian technology has a total investment of about 79.5 million USD.

In the first phase, the project will install three turbines with a designed capacity of 1 MW each on an area of 20ha. The turbines are expected to be put into commercial operation in February next year.

The second phase will see the installation of 15 more turbines with a total designed capacity of 37.5 MW.

Ninh Thuan is considered a high-potential region for wind power development with total exploitation capacity of 2,000 MW by 2020.

A number of areas with strong wind sources in Ninh Thuan are Ninh Phuoc, Thuan Nam, Thuan Bac and Ninh Hai districts. Some 14 wind farm projects have been given approval in principle by the local government to make surveys and prepare investment plans.-VNA