Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministryof Industry and Trade will submit to the Government new scenarios for solarpower prices in two regions on September 15 based on recommendations the ministry received after presenting its proposal on the matter to the Government’s standingboard on July 31.
Deputy Minister of Industry andTrade Do Thang Hai released the information at the regular Government pressconference on August 1.
He said the new prices of solarenergy will be set based on levels of solar radiation of regions instead ofthe current single price of 9.35 US cent per kWh.
In the previous scenarios, theministry proposed four levels of prices corresponding to four ranges of solarradiation. Based on recommendations from ministries, sectors and the Government’sstanding board, it later changed to two levels of prices for two regions, oneof which comprises six provinces with high solar radiation (including BinhThuan, Ninh Thuan, Dak Lak and Phu Yen) and the other covers all the remaining localities. Accordingly, the price of solar power in the first region is projected at 1,916VND (8.38 US cent) per kWh, and 1,758 VND (7.09 US cent) in the second region.
The ministry’s statistics showedtotal solar power capacity of proposed projects has added up to 25,000 MW andthat of wind power 16,500 MW. As of the end of June, 89 solar power plants hadbeen commissioned with total capacity of nearly 4,500 MW. At present, nearly400 solar power projects are waiting to be added to the power developmentplans, but they face hurdles posed by the new Planning Law which took effect onJanuary 1 this year. -VNA
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