Central Quang Binh province started work on a 13.7 million USD project in Bo Trach district on July 1 to supply solar power to far-flung areas outside the reach of the national grid.

Funded by official development assistance (ODA) loans from the Republic of Korea (RoK), the project is designed to provide solar power to nearly 1,300 families and 78 public service units in Le Thuy, Quang Ninh, Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts.

Expected to be fully operational by the end of 2016, it is hoped to help border districts reduce poverty and ensure social order and security.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai hailed it as a project of humanity that greatly benefits impoverished locals and ethnic minority groups in remote areas along the Vietnam-Laos border who have been living without access to the national grid.

According to Project Manager Vo Quang Minh, rough local terrain and unfavourable weather conditions are among project challenges.

Lim Tae Seong from the RoK-based KT Corporation, project contractor, pledged to ensure project quality and keep progress on schedule.-VNA