PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts UK Minister of State for Trade Policy

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 of Enterprize Energy Group Ian Raymond Hatton, who are on a visit to Vietnam to promote an offshore wind power project in the central province of Binh Thuan.

During the reception, the Vietnamese government leader highly valued efforts made by Greg Hands to promote bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the UK, and Ian Raymond Hatton's personal experience in the field of energy development.

He applauded the group's investment project after field surveys, which is expected to protect the environment and save cost; as well as its intention to invest in developing transmission networks for the project.

The Vietnamese Government always creates favourable conditions for foreign investors to invest in the country, especially for large and environmentally friendly projects, and those using modern and advanced technologies such as Ke Ga offshore wind power project.

However, he noted that this is the first project proposed in Vietnam with a great investment and modern technologies, so there may be many problems arising during its implementation.

The investor needs to coordinate closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to promptly remove difficulties to accelerate the project, he said.

UK Minister Greg Hands said his country has a lot of experience in developing renewable energies such as wind and solar power, and it currently has the world's largest offshore wind power capacity.

He expressed his belief that if this wind power project is successful, it will greatly contribute to Vietnam’s development.

Meanwhile, Ian Raymond Hatton said his firm is working closely with the Binh Thuan provincial People’s Committee and Vietnamese partners to implement the project.

Once completed and becoming operational, it will help reduce CO2 emissions, he said, suggesting the Vietnamese government make it easier for the project to be carried out smoothly.

He proposed the Vietnamese Government add this project into the Power Plan VIII, which is expected to start generating electricity by the end of 2025.

In the first phase, the firm plans to mobilise investment capital from a number of foreign partners, and it is also willing to invest in transmission lines to connect with the national power system, he said.

Regarding the Power Plan VIII, PM Phuc asked the group to report to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, and assigned the ministry to coordinate with relevant agencies for consideration.

He urged Enterprize Energy to closely work with relevant Vietnamese agencies to promptly remove all difficulties in implementing the project, stating that ministries and 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 and gas exploitation, and manufacturing wind power equipment./.