Clearing bottlenecks to develop energy projects

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, currently in the province there are 22 renewable energy projects (including 1 LNG project, 2 pumped storage hydropower projects, 14 wind power projects, 3 hydropower projects and 2 self-produced and self-consumed solar power projects) in the Power Plan VIII. Of which, investors have been approved to implement 8 projects (including: Phuoc Hoa pumped storage hydropower, Bac Ai pumped storage hydropower, Phuoc Huu wind power plant, Vietnam Power Wind Power Plant No. 1, Cong Hai 1 wind power plant - phase 1 and 2, Phuoc Nam - Enfinity - Ninh Thuan renewable energy power plant and part of the capacity of Habaram wind power plant), the remaining 14 projects are in the process of selecting investors.

For projects that have been approved by investors, they are currently being implemented according to the approved schedule. However, some projects are facing difficulties, typically the Phuoc Nam - Enfinity - Ninh Thuan project. Although the project is included in the Power Plan VIII, the connection plan has not been approved.

Hanbaram Wind Power (Thuan Bac). Photo: Anh Tuan

Cong Hai 1 Wind Power Plant (Phase 1 and 2), after the Prime Minister approved the supplement and update of the plan to implement the Power Plan VIII, the relevant departments and branches reported to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and continued extension of the project implementation period to January 2027 according to the investor's commitment to the Phase 2 project. However, for the Phase 1 project, the investor has not been able to specifically report the implementation progress due to its dependence on the production of 2-blade coaxial wind turbine equipment through the Economic - Trade and Scientific and Technical Cooperation Program between the Governments of the Russian Federation and the Government of Vietnam.

Faced with the project's obstacles and difficulties, the Provincial People's Committee has proactively sent a document to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and reported to the Prime Minister for consideration and resolution of the Phuoc Nam - Enfinity project. Regarding the Cong Hai 1 wind power project, the Provincial People's Committee has worked with investors, grasped the actual situation and had necessary discussions and support to promote progress; agreed on a plan to have a basis for implementation.

Implementing Resolution No. 233/NQ-CP of the Government on 4 renewable energy projects related to overlapping planning and irrigation areas, the province has conducted a thorough review and comparison with national and provincial planning. The province has proposed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to locally adjust the Tan My irrigation area, opening up opportunities for these projects to be implemented soon while still ensuring the efficiency of the irrigation system.

Comrade Dang Kim Cuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: Realizing the overlap between electricity development and agriculture, the province has proactively proposed an assessment of "dual-use planning". As a result, the former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) has issued a document confirming that the local adjustment of about 726.3 hectares of irrigation area does not affect the overall efficiency of the irrigation system. This document not only creates conditions for renewable energy projects to be implemented but also ensures that agricultural production is not affected. On this basis, the province is adjusting the planning to create a legal corridor for implementation.

Trung Nam Wind Power (Phuoc Minh).

A key factor affecting the efficiency of renewable energy investment is the FIT price mechanism and the time of recognition of commercial operation. Regarding the recognition of the commercial operation date and enjoyment of FIT price when there is no written approval of project acceptance, the Provincial People's Committee has based on current regulations, especially Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, to clarify the necessary conditions; at the same time, it recommended that Steering Committee 1568 direct EVN to preside over working with investors, review the legality of each project and report the results to have reasonable and appropriate solutions, ensure compliance with regulations, minimize economic losses and impact on the investment environment.

Regarding the issue of project implementation locations, for the two solar power projects (450MW in Phuoc Minh and BIM 2) under the approval authority of the Prime Minister, the Provincial People's Committee has reviewed and confirmed the conformity of these projects with related planning. The province has sent a document requesting the Ministry of Industry and Trade to consider reporting to the Prime Minister for approval of the investment locations to complete the legal procedures, creating conditions for EVN to pay electricity bills to investors according to the signed contracts.

In addition to resolving “bottlenecks” for existing projects, the Provincial People’s Committee also focuses on creating an attractive and favorable investment environment for new power projects. The process of selecting investors for 14 renewable energy projects is being directed by the Department of Finance to be implemented in a transparent and competitive manner, in the spirit of actively supporting investors in initial legal procedures, technology appraisal and clarifying planning issues for the projects.

At a recent meeting on the implementation of the Power Plan VIII, Mr. Trinh Minh Hoang, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said: Renewable energy projects play a key role in promoting the socio-economic development of the province and the country. Therefore, the requirement for departments and branches is to focus highly, proactively grasp the situation, promptly report any problems so that the Provincial People's Committee can direct the fastest and most effective solutions.

Although there are still challenges ahead, with close direction, synchronous coordination and determination in removing difficulties and creating favorable conditions for investors, Ninh Thuan's renewable energy development is becoming increasingly clear and promising, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the province and the whole country.

Mr. Tuan

Source: https://baoninhthuan.com.vn/news/153173p1c25/khoi-thong-diem-nghende-phat-trien-cac-du-an-nang-luong.htm