Shaping the role of a clean energy center in the Northern region

The adjusted Power Plan VIII was approved by the Prime Minister in April 2025, opening up a new development direction for Vietnam's energy industry. Seizing the opportunity, Quang Ninh, a locality with a strong tradition in energy and synchronous technical infrastructure, is proactively and systematically implementing the plan, gradually affirming its position as a clean and modern energy center of the Northern region.

Leaders of Cua Ong ward, investors and businesses surveyed the actual road to the Quang Ninh LNG Power project. Photo: Cao Quynh

Immediately after the revised Power Plan VIII was issued, the Provincial People's Committee quickly established a synchronous management mechanism. From June to October 2025, the Provincial People's Committee continuously issued important directive documents to specify the tasks of each department, branch and locality, while clarifying responsibilities in updating planning, allocating land funds, clearing land and coordinating the implementation of power projects in the area. A highlight in the direction is that the province requested to include the list of approved power source and grid projects in the Provincial Planning, Urban Planning, Rural Planning and Land Use Planning, creating a solid legal basis for investment implementation. At the same time, relevant local planning was also adjusted promptly to open up development space for new energy projects in accordance with the spirit of the revised Power Plan VIII.

According to the adjusted Power Plan VIII, Quang Ninh is allocated a portfolio of large-scale, diverse power sources, including: 700MW of onshore and nearshore wind power; 500MW of offshore wind power; 400MW of concentrated solar power; more than 1,418MW of rooftop solar power; 1,500MW of LNG power in the 2026-2030 period; along with biomass, waste-to-energy, cogeneration, and small hydropower sources. In the 2031-2035 period, the capacity of offshore wind power and backup LNG power will continue to increase.

In particular, the Quang Ninh LNG Power Plant project is identified as the core of the new power source development strategy. The project has completed the connection agreement with the National Power Transmission Corporation and has been allocated land for phase 1. The land area for phase 2 (15.7 hectares) is expected to be completed in January 2026. The Provincial People's Committee also closely directed departments and branches to coordinate with investors to remove difficulties in capital arrangement and complete the power purchase contract, ensuring conditions for the project to start construction soon.

Along with that, the Quang Ninh 1 Wind Power Project with a capacity of 200MW planned for Hoanh Bo Ward and Thong Nhat Commune has been included in the bidding list for investor selection by the Provincial People's Council. The proposal for investment policy approval is being appraised and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

Solar panels are installed on the roof of a factory in Hai Ha Industrial Park. Photo: Manh Truong

In the field of solar renewable energy, the 100MW Dam Ha Solar Power Project was approved by the Provincial People's Committee in October. Currently, the investor is completing the adjustment of the detailed planning and feasibility study report to start construction in December 2025. The Thong Nhat Solid Waste Treatment Center Project, which integrates waste-to-energy technology with a capacity of 30MW, has also been approved to adjust the investment policy and is being accelerated by the investor to strive to start construction in 2025.

In addition to the above large projects, the trend of self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power has developed strongly in large industrial parks such as Texhong Hai Ha and Hai Yen. Up to now, projects with a total capacity of more than 40MW in these two industrial parks have been fully invested, contributing to reducing the load on the power system, while meeting the greening requirements of FDI enterprises' supply chains.

In addition to developing power sources, Quang Ninh is synchronously implementing 500kV and 220kV power grid projects to ensure capacity release, increase system connectivity and meet the rapidly increasing load demand in economic zones and industrial parks. In particular, the 500kV LNG Quang Ninh - Quang Ninh Line project has been agreed on route direction and expansion of the bay at the 500kV Quang Ninh Station. The National Power Transmission Corporation is preparing documents to submit to competent authorities for early implementation. At the 220kV level, a series of key projects are entering the construction phase and completing procedures such as: Nam Hoa 220kV Station, the main power source for Bac Tien Phong Industrial Park, Nam Tien Phong and Dam Nha Mac has started construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. In addition, the Yen Hung - Nam Hoa 220kV line is expected to start construction in the fourth quarter of 2025 and Cong Hoa 220kV Station, Mong Cai 220kV Station, and Hai Ha - Mong Cai line are all undergoing feasibility study reports with the goal of completion in the period 2026-2027.

Notably, at Song Khoai Industrial Park, the load of Jinko Solar Industrial Co., Ltd. alone has reached 87MW, while at Texhong Hai Ha Industrial Park, the 110kV station is currently carrying 65% load and is building a second station to meet the expansion needs of the business. This initiative of the province and the Electricity industry contributes to creating an attractive investment environment for high-tech corporations in the future.

Mr. Dao Duy Linh, Head of the Energy Management Department (Department of Industry and Trade) said: With a clear system of guiding documents, a synchronous planning framework and positive implementation progress in a series of projects, Quang Ninh has built a solid foundation to enter the acceleration phase 2026-2030. Challenges in procedures, capital and connection still exist, but the province is focusing on removing obstacles, especially with the Quang Ninh LNG project and 220-500kV transmission lines. The timely implementation of power source and grid projects according to the plan will aim at the goal of sustainable development, ensuring energy security and gradually turning Quang Ninh into a clean and modern energy center of the Northeast region and the whole country.

Hoang Nga

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dinh-hinh-vai-tro-trung-tam-nang-luong-sach-khu-vuc-phia-bac-3384911.html