Quang Tri to put first solar power plant into operation

Quang Tri (VNA) – Construction of the LIG-Quang Tri Solar Power Plant (LIG-QTSPP) in the central province of Quang Tri is near completion, with the plant expected to be put into operation in June.

The LIG-QTSPP, sitting on nearly 60 ha in Gio Hai and Gio Thanh communes, Gio Linh district, has a designed capacity of 49.5 MWp, generating 67.63 million KWh of electricity each year.

The project is built by the Licogi 13 JSC at the cost of 1,087 billion VND (47.26 million USD). It is expected to be completed in April. It will run on trial for two months before its official inauguration in June and will be valid for 50 years.

Pham Van Luc, head of the project’s management board, said the construction is on schedule and has been completed over 70 percent in most of its components.

Meanwhile, Tran Van Doan, head of the Quang Tri Economic Zone management board, highlighted the social benefits of the project, saying it receives large support from the local authority as it makes the best out of the disadvantaged area.

In the future, renewable energy will be a key resource to draw strategic investors into the province, Doan said, adding that the project’s inauguration and operation in June will be significant to local socio-economic development plans in 2019, until 2025, and towards 2050.

For his part, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Tri province Nguyen Duc Chinh said the province aims to build solar power plants on unproductive areas, thus promoting local socio-economic development, while making Quang Tri a centre of energy production.

Quang Tri is focusing its efforts to be the energy hub of the central region, prioritising wind and solar power projects. It has made numerous substantial measures to facilitate its investors, including improving administrative reform and the investment climate; as well as offering incentives on taxation, land renting, and clearing. On the other hand, the province has also made sure the implementation of these projects is environmentally friendly and receives the support of the community.

Three solar power projects are underway in Quang Tri with a combined capacity of nearly 150 MW. Four more, with a total designed capacity of 200MW are pending the approval of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. –VNA