Green energy axis reaching out to the ocean

Photo caption — Wind power field on the plateau, in Thuan Hanh commune, Lam Dong province. Photo: Kha Pham/ VNA

At the center of that corridor, Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa are shaping a pivotal role, connecting the huge renewable energy source from the plateau with the seaport infrastructure system, LNG (liquefied natural gas) and coastal transmission. Not simply individual wind power, solar power or LNG projects, this process is the convergence of inter-regional planning, synchronous development policies and long-term vision, aiming to make clean energy one of the pillars of economic development of the Central Highlands.

Lesson 1: Highland Energy Map

After the administrative unit merger, Lam Dong is no longer a “closed plateau” but has opened up to the sea, becoming the starting point of a new energy corridor connecting the plateau and the South Central Coast. With advantages in terrain, solar radiation and strong wind, and a power system that far exceeds the needs of the province, Lam Dong is expected to become an important clean energy pole of the Central Highlands region, playing the role of a transit and supply for the entire region.

Internal force has been shaped

If many years ago, Lam Dong was known mainly for its small and medium hydropower plants nestled on the mountainside, now the power source structure has taken on a different appearance. Director of Lam Dong Power Company (PC), Mr. Phan Sy Duy, said that the total capacity of existing power sources in the province reached 3,553.235 MW; of which renewable energy sources (solar power, wind power, small and medium hydropower) accounted for about 870 MW, including 584 MW of rooftop solar power.

Regarding renewable energy, Lam Dong province currently has 97 operating projects with a total capacity of 3,887.89 MW, accounting for nearly 47.2% of the total source capacity in the area (8,241.89 MW). Of which, rooftop solar power accounts for about 1,166 MWp; farm solar power 1,655 MWp, small and medium hydropower about 823 MW and onshore wind power about 244 MW.

However, Lam Dong's maximum load capacity in 2025 is only about 1,060 MW, commercial electricity is estimated at 5.32 billion kWh, meaning that the generation capacity is more than 2.3 times the demand. The transmission capacity is much lower than the total source capacity, meaning that the province has a large surplus capacity. This shows that Lam Dong is not only completely self-sufficient in electricity, ensuring enough demand for production and life in the province, but also becomes one of the important localities supporting load balancing for the entire Central Highlands region, if transmission bottlenecks are removed - Mr. Phan Sy Duy analyzed.

Accompanying the power source development is a solid transmission system consisting of 8 220/110 kV transformer stations with a total capacity of 2,750 MVA and 32 110 kV stations with a capacity of 2,379 MVA, currently operating at an average load of about 65%. This is the "backbone" to bring clean electricity from the highlands to the plains, connecting to the national grid.

After the merger, Lam Dong province is now considered one of the largest electricity centers in the country thanks to its special potential. This is not only a domestic assessment, but also from an international perspective, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to Vietnam, Mr. Nicolai Prytz, commented that Lam Dong has diverse potential for electricity, especially wind power, both onshore and offshore. Vestas - the world's leading energy group from Denmark, is very interested in this area and the Danish side wishes to cooperate long-term, from survey to investment and operation.

High Energy Pole in National Map

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien assessed that Lam Dong's potential and advantages in renewable energy after the merger are huge. The locality needs to focus on developing it to become a national energy center.

According to Decision No. 500/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the National Power Development Plan for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 (commonly known as Power Plan VIII), Lam Dong province has the potential to develop offshore wind power of about 2,000 MW in the period 2025-2030, adding an additional 2,300 MW in the period 2031-2035. The Ta Nang - Don Duong area, the border area between the old Lam Dong province and the old Binh Thuan province, is assessed to have high average wind speed, suitable for developing large-scale wind power clusters.

Regarding solar power, Lam Dong has solar radiation equivalent to the South Central provinces. Many midland areas, flat land interspersed with low hills have favorable conditions for developing concentrated solar power plants.

Mr. Le Trong Yen - Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee emphasized that not only possessing a large scale of resources, Lam Dong also has the potential to develop offshore wind power and solar power at the leading level in the country. This will be an important foundation for the province to participate more deeply in the national energy transition process, reducing dependence on fossil energy.

The renewable energy boom has also brought new pressures. On some 110 kV lines, the load has reached its limit. Many solar power plants have had to reduce their output to ensure system safety. “Bottlenecks” to release capacity have begun to appear – challenging a stage of development at a higher level.

The province currently has eight 220/110kV stations with a total installed capacity of 2,750 MVA and 32 110kV stations with a total capacity of 2,379 MVA. However, many 110kV lines are already operating at full load, forcing some solar and wind power plants to reduce capacity to ensure system safety.

Currently, the locality has not yet issued a specific resolution on energy development, but mainly applies the general incentive mechanisms of the Central Government and integrates the goals into annual economic and social development plans. This, according to some experts in power development, has caused the attraction of large investments in offshore wind projects and regional-scale concentrated solar power to still face policy "lags".

Another problem is that energy space planning is currently not synchronized with land use planning and 110kV transmission grid planning, leading to some potential areas not being legally opened for investors to access.

From a closed plateau, Lam Dong is rising to become the green energy pole of the Central Highlands, contributing to shaping the new energy map of the country. This will be the "hard foundation" for the Central Highlands to make a breakthrough in the energy transition and sustainable development period. The strong development of clean energy here is also spreading to other areas: promoting high-tech agricultural models using renewable electricity, developing green tourism, creating stable jobs in the midland and mountainous areas, and opening up new development space for processing and supporting industries. (To be continued)

Lesson 2: The coastal energy pillar is taking shape

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/truc-nang-luong-xanh-vuon-ra-bien-lonbai-1-20251008172254307.htm