Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Long An (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Long An will accommodate its third solar power plant as construction of the Europlast Long An project began on September 21.
Covering nearly 60ha in My Thanh Bac commune, Duc Hue district, the 1.15 trillion VND (49.45 million USD) solar power project has a designed capacity of 50 MWp. It is scheduled to be put into operation by June 2019.
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, Nguyen Van Duoc, Vice Chairman of the provincial Party Committee, said the project is of special significance as it will contribute to electricity resources not just in Long An but for the whole country, especially given the range of problems with hydropower and fossil fuels.
The plant is expected to create a premise for the development of other solar power projects in Long An, in line with the government’s policy of prioritising renewable and clean energy, minimising the adverse impacts of traditional electricity resources exploitation on the environment, and ensuring national energy security.
Aside from the Europlast project, Long An is home to two plants in Thanh Hoa and Duc Hue communes.
Vietnamese localities are taking measures to attract more investment in renewable energy, especially solar power.
According to the Government’s targets, solar power is expected to become the main renewable energy source in the future, with installed capacity to be increased from 6-7 MW by the end of 2017 to 850 MW by 2020 (1.6 percent of the country’s power generation) and 12,000 MW by 2030 (3.3 percent of the country’s power generation).
Vietnam is amongst the most sunny countries in the world, with the Central Highlands and south central regions recording between 2,000 and 2,600 hours of sunshine every year, reported the Vietnam Clean Energy Association.
Average solar radiation is 150 kcal/sq.m, or about 2,000 to 5,000 hours per year. However, despite the nation’s great natural advantages, solar power has not yet been harnessed to maximise its full potential. –VNA
VNA
