At the reception (Photo: VNA) Hanoi(VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 30 received Greg Hands, Minister of State for Trade Policy in the Department for International Trade of the UK and President ofEnterprize Energy Group Ian Raymond Hatton, who are on a visit to Vietnam topromote an offshore wind power project in the central province of Binh Thuan.
During thereception, the Vietnamese government leader highly valued efforts made by Greg Hands to promote bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the UK, and Ian Raymond Hatton'spersonal experience in the field of energy development.
He applauded thegroup's investment project after field surveys, which is expected to protectthe environment and save cost; as well as its intention to invest indeveloping transmission networks for the project.
The Vietnamese Government always createsfavourable conditions for foreign investors to invest in the country,especially for large and environmentally friendly projects, and those using modernand advanced technologies such as Ke Ga offshore wind power project.
However, he noted that this is the first project proposed in Vietnam with a greatinvestment and modern technologies, so there may be many problems arisingduring its implementation.
The investor needs to coordinate closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies topromptly remove difficulties to accelerate the project, he said.
UK Minister Greg Handssaid his country has a lot of experience in developing renewable energies suchas wind and solar power, and it currently has the world's largest offshore windpower capacity.
He expressed his belief that if this wind power project is successful, it willgreatly contribute to Vietnam’s development.
Meanwhile, IanRaymond Hatton said his firm is working closely with the Binh Thuan provincial People’s Committee andVietnamese partners to implement the project.
Once completed andbecoming operational, it will help reduce CO2 emissions, he said, suggestingthe Vietnamese government make it easier for the project to be carried outsmoothly.
He proposed theVietnamese Government add this project into the Power Plan VIII, whichis expected to start generating electricity by the end of 2025.
In the first phase, thefirm plans to mobilise investment capital from a number of foreign partners,and it is also willing to invest in transmission lines to connect with thenational power system, he said.
Regarding the PowerPlan VIII, PM Phuc asked the group to report to the Vietnamese Ministry ofIndustry and Trade, and assigned the ministry to coordinate with relevant agenciesfor consideration.
He urged Enterprize Energy to closely work with relevant Vietnamese agencies topromptly remove all difficulties in implementing the project, stating that ministriesand sectors of Vietnam always create all favourable conditions for investors.
The PM also urged the firm to cooperate with Vietnam in the fields of oil andgas exploitation, and manufacturing wind power equipment./.
VNA
