Nhon Trach 3 and 4 Power Plants: A New Driving Force for the Southern Key Economic Region

The Nhon Trach 3 and 4 LNG power plant project stands out as a strategically significant undertaking, being the country's first LNG power plant project to reach completion, adding over 1,600 MW with an output of approximately 9 billion kWh/year, contributing to reducing electricity shortage pressure and strengthening energy security for the region.

The first LNG power source – a new turning point for Vietnam's energy system.

Nhon Trach 3 and 4 are the first two LNG power plants to apply modern combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) technology. In the context of the revised Power Development Plan VIII, which designates LNG as a flexible power source to balance the system in the face of the rise of renewable energy, the project becomes a crucial piece in reducing emissions and supporting the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

From planning and land clearance to securing international financing, selecting technology, and organizing the synchronized implementation of the entire project chain, the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 projects affirm Petrovietnam 's remarkable maturity as a core force in creating some of the most complex large-scale energy projects today.

Not only has Petrovietnam invested in the country's first two LNG power plants, but it is also the only entity in the economy with the capacity to form a complete gas-electricity ecosystem: from port and storage infrastructure, import, regasification, transmission pipelines, to the construction and operation of a cluster of power plants. This is a "gas-electricity-industrial complex" model according to international standards, a model that, it can be affirmed, only Petrovietnam in Vietnam has the experience, infrastructure, resources, and technological foundation to realize.

Contributing to ensuring national energy security.

Located within the Nhon Trach Power Center, one of the most important power clusters in Southern Vietnam, Nhon Trach 3 and 4 will increase electricity supply capacity for the Southeast region, reduce dependence on hydropower in the context of climate change, and compensate for the shortage of domestic gas. The accompanying Thi Vai LNG terminal infrastructure will also contribute to the development of the Southern LNG market, creating a stable foundation for the long term.

During a progress inspection in November 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the sense of responsibility of all parties involved. He emphasized that electricity demand is increasing by approximately 10% annually, requiring the addition of 7,000-8,000 MW of new power sources each year. Therefore, the contribution of Nhon Trach 3 and 4 is of strategic significance. The Deputy Prime Minister requested that the units complete the necessary documentation to commence the final stages in December 2025, strengthen training and technology transfer, and definitively resolve any land-related issues.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son held discussions with members of the EPC general contractor consortium (Samsung C&T and Lilama) at the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 Power Plant Project.

Driving force for development in Dong Nai and the Southeast region.

The project will mobilize thousands of engineers and workers, create jobs, and boost the mechanical, electrical, construction, logistics, and port industries. Once operational, Nhon Trach 3 and 4 will provide a stable power supply to major industrial zones in Dong Nai, attracting investment and making a significant contribution to the national budget.

Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province, affirmed: "When Nhon Trach 3 and 4 become operational… they will bring in thousands of billions of dong in budget revenue each year for Dong Nai. This is an important driving force to help the province develop its socio-economic sector sustainably in the coming period."

From land clearance and international financing arrangements to technology selection and construction, Nhon Trach 3 and 4 demonstrate the remarkable growth of Petrovietnam and PV Power. PV Power successfully secured an international loan of nearly $1.3 billion, one of the largest packages for a power project in Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, General Director of Lilama, said: “Nhon Trach 3 and 4 is not just a large contract but a landmark project… We had to install and adjust the gas turbine cluster with a shaft up to 70 meters long, with an accuracy allowing for an error of only 0.03 mils… But the Vietnamese engineering and worker team has proven their capabilities: many items that foreign experts needed a month for, we only needed a week.”

A strategic step for the new energy phase.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized: “Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 are not only the first two LNG power projects in Vietnam, but also a new symbol of green, sustainable, and modern development thinking… The Government is committed to supporting and resolving all difficulties to ensure the projects are completed soon.”

With that scale, Nhon Trach 3 and 4 not only strengthen the energy security of the South, contributing to the country's Net Zero goal by 2050, but also affirm the aspiration to master technology and gradually build a modern and sustainable Vietnamese energy system for decades to come.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nha-may-dien-nhon-trach-3-va-4-dong-luc-moi-cho-vung-kinh-te-trong-diem-phia-nam-337598.html