Unleashing renewable energy sources

Leveraging its existing potential and advantages, especially in terms of natural conditions, climate, and land, Quang Tri is gradually realizing its goal of becoming the energy center of Central Vietnam and the whole country by 2030.

The effectiveness of energy projects

Given its characteristics as a region with harsh sunshine and wind, Quang Tri province is determined to transform these natural disadvantages into driving forces and opportunities for sustainable economic development. According to calculations, Quang Tri's total energy potential is approximately over 18,000 MW. Based on this, the province has identified major energy areas including wind power in the west and gas-fired power in the province's Southeast Economic Zone.

Wind power project in Huong Linh commune, Huong Hoa district - Photo: LN

Speaking with us, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Truong Khoa said: “To date, the province has 20 wind power projects with a total installed capacity of 742.2 MW; 3 solar power projects with a capacity of 119.6 MW that have completed commercial operation; and 10 hydropower projects with a total capacity of 167.5 MW that have been put into commercial operation...”

The total capacity of completed construction projects in the province to date is 1,119.5 MW. In addition, the province has 11 wind power projects with a total capacity of 424 MW and 7 small hydropower projects with a total capacity of 93 MW that have been approved in terms of planning, granted investment approval, and are currently under construction.

Along with renewable energy projects, Quang Tri has also launched large-scale energy projects. In the Southeast Economic Zone, gas-fired power projects have attracted investment, such as the Quang Tri Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant project with a capacity of 340 MW, which has been added to the revised Power Plan VII by the Prime Minister and approved for investment by Gazprom EP International BV (part of the Gaprom Group - Russian Federation), using gas from the Bao Vang field off the coast of Quang Tri.

In early 2021, the Prime Minister approved the proposal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the People's Committee of the province to add the Hai Lang LNG Power Center to the national power development plan; including adding phase 1 with a capacity of 1,500 MW to the revised Power Plan VII, scheduled for operation in 2027-2028, with a consortium of four investors including T&T Group (Vietnam), South Korea Electric Power Company - KOSPO, Korea Gas Corporation - KOGAS, and Hanwha Energy Corporation - HEC from South Korea as the project's investor...

These projects have been identified as key energy projects of the province, requiring priority investment to create momentum for Quang Tri to quickly become an energy hub of the Central region. This will serve as a foundation and impetus for projects in the Southeast Economic Zone such as My Thuy Port, multi-sector industrial parks, and logistics facilities to be constructed and operational soon.

After becoming operational, in addition to contributing to the local budget, energy projects in the province have contributed to the investment in approximately 100km of transportation infrastructure, created jobs for 681 workers, including 558 local workers, and improved livelihoods and social welfare for the locality.

At the same time, energy projects in the area have received approval from competent authorities for their environmental impact assessment reports or environmental protection commitments, aiming to both develop "wind power fields" and ensure ecological balance, stabilize the lives of people in the project area, and serve tourism development.

Efforts to attract investment

To facilitate the development of the energy industry, on April 27, 2021, the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee issued an Action Program to implement Resolution 55-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the strategic orientation for the development of Vietnam's national energy sector until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

This is an important program for the province to promote the development of a sustainable energy industry. The province strives to develop energy projects in the area to reach a power generation capacity of over 3,000 MW by 2025; 8,000-10,000 MW in the 2026-2030 period; and approximately over 10,000 MW after 2030, thereby making a positive contribution to increasing local budget revenue.

Solar power, a renewable energy source, is being prioritized for exploitation in Quang Tri province - Photo: NK

Over the past period, based on the Party and State's policy of encouraging energy development, and leveraging its potential and advantages, the province has focused on directing the work of formulating and supplementing power development plans and wind power development plans.

As a result, many projects have been included in the national and provincial power development plans for implementation, focusing on attracting investment projects in energy development, especially renewable energy. Simultaneously, the Provincial People's Committee has closely monitored the situation, resolved investors' difficulties, and issued several documents related to electricity and energy to guide and manage operations.

Besides the government's preferential policies, investors coming to Quang Tri also enjoy specific incentives and support. Accordingly, investors will receive preferential land lease rates, support for developing technical infrastructure systems inside and outside the project boundaries; technical support, training, and market consulting for products depending on the specific project. Alongside these investment incentives, the provincial leadership consistently demonstrates a commitment to supporting and resolving difficulties for investors coming to the province.

"To achieve the goal of becoming the renewable energy hub of Central Vietnam and the entire country, the province continues to request the Prime Minister and central ministries and agencies to soon approve the addition of the province's energy projects that have been submitted to the National Power Development Plan, as a basis for the province to implement and attract capable investors for the next phase."

"In addition, the province is determined to improve the investment environment based on the law, creating a friendly, safe, and efficient environment for investors when they come to explore investment opportunities in the locality; orienting the selection of large-scale investors based on the principle of using fewer resources, employing advanced technology, creating many jobs, and producing high value-added products," added Nguyen Truong Khoa, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade.

With ongoing and planned energy projects, Quang Tri is gradually becoming a "focal point" for many large-scale projects in energy, infrastructure, and tourism. Based on its potential and initial results, the energy industry has been identified by the province as a breakthrough area for development and a priority direction for socio-economic development.

And in the future, there is a solid foundation for accessing vast potential resource areas such as the Ken Bau gas field, which has the largest projected reserves in Vietnam's history, the Bao Vang field, and many other promising areas. All these resources could enable Quang Tri to provide sufficient input materials for a series of current and future power projects, creating a solid basis for implementing the policy of building a regional energy center along the East-West Economic Corridor.

Le Nhu

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/khai-phong-nguon-nang-luong-tai-tao-nbsp/183980.htm