A ceremony to launch the construction of Thang Long thermal power plant, the first privately-invested of its kind, was held in Hoanh Bo district in the northern province Quang Ninh on October 23 in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

Covering more than 124ha, the 2x300 MW plant has a total investment of over 22 trillion VND (1.05 billion USD), injected by the Thang Long-Gelexemco Thermal Power Co. Ltd. It will apply French technology to minimise greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Hai assigned relevant agencies to coordinate with provincial authorities and contractors to address any emerging challenges and accelerate the construction process, ensuring the quality and safety of the plant.

In addition, he advised the province to implement on-site vocational training for local residents to enable them to find employment at the plant when it officially runs, seeing it as part of ongoing efforts to restructure the provincial workforce.

The project, comprising the main plant, a coal storage facility and supporting infrastructure, is scheduled to be completed within 45 months.

Once operational, the plant is expected to contribute around 4,185 GWh to the national grid each year, boosting economic development in the country’s largest thermo-power centre, which also comprises Mao Khe, Cam Pha and Mong Duong power plants.-VNA