VietNamNet Bridge - With a total investment of over VND2.3 trillion ($11 billion), the installation of the submarine power cable connecting Ha Tien to Phu Quoc, the longest in Southeast Asia, started on November 17.

The Southern Power Company (EVN SPC, investor) and the Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee held a ceremony to kick off the first 110 kV submarine power cable in Vietnam to connect Phu Quoc Island to the national grid yesterday, on Phu Quoc.

According to the investor, this is a large-scale project, with complex technology and the first of its kind in Vietnam, to ensure uninterrupted power supply for Phu Quoc Island, which is designed as a special economic – administrative zone, a main tourism and resort center, a trade center of Vietnam, the region and the world.

The project has a total investment of $11 billion, including the World Bank loan and the capital of EVN SPC.

The route is more than 57 km long (the longest in Southeast Asia as of this moment) with the maximum load capacity of 131 MVA.

Prysmian Powerlink of Italy is the main contractor of the project.

Together with the submarine cable, in preparation for connection to the power supply from the mainland, the Phu Quoc 110 kV transformer station and the 7.6 km 110 kV line on Phu Quoc Island have been completed.

Under the plan, the Italian contractor will complete the construction and installation of the underground cable on January 11, 2014, and the line is to be put into operation before the lunar New Year 2014, six months ahead of plan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said the submarine cable will help decrease the price of electricity on the island, which is currently three times higher than the common price. This will be an important prerequisite for the development of Phu Quoc.

S. Tung