The central province of Quang Tri has approved in principle investments into six energy projects including four wind power and two solar plants with total capital of more than VND7.4 trillion (US$318.4 million) in the first two months of the year.

The central province of Quang Tri has a lot of potential to develop solar and wind power plants. — Photo cafef.vn

The provincial People’s Committee has given the go-ahead for Gio Thanh Energy Joint Stock Company to build the Gio Thanh 1 solar power plant with total capacity of 50MW. The project has a total investment of over VND1.1 trillion and covers an area of 65ha in Gio Linh District.

It has also given the green light to SECO Joint Stock Company to implement the VND1.1 trillion Gio Thanh 2 solar power plant with total capacity of 50MW and covering an area of 60ha.

The People’s Committee approved the investment of Huong Phung Solar Wind Company Limited for the Huong Phung 3 wind power plant with total capacity of 30MW. The VND1.58 trillion plant will cover an area of 9ha in Huong Hoa District.

Gelex Quang Tri Energy Company has also been approved to invest in wind power plants 1, 2 and 3 with 30MW each. The three plants will have a total investment of VND3.6 trillion on an area of 24ha in Huong Hoa and Dakrong districts.

The province has given priorities to attract investment in the energy sector with the aim of turning the locality into an energy centre in the region. Huong Linh 2 wind power plant came into operation in 2017 with a capacity of 30MW and investment of VND1.5 trillion.

In addition, the province has dozens of wind power projects in the process of construction. Quang Tri Province has planned three key areas to develop wind power covering a total area of 6,700ha.

Wind power projects are mainly being built in the western mountainous area of Quang Tri Province, and solar power projects are concentrated in coastal areas.

LIG-Quang Tri solar power plant, invested by LICOGI 13 Joint Stock Company, will be the first solar power project to come into operation at the end of June in the province. The VND1.2 trillion plant has a total capacity of 49.5MW on an area of 5ha.

The province is proposing four more solar power plants for the country’s energy planning with total capacity of 200MW.

It has been a rush to complete land clearance for construction of Quang Tri 1 thermo power plant. The project run by Thailand International Electricity Company has total investment of VND5 trillion and a capacity of 1,320MW. The first turbine is expected to become operational by the end of 2023.

Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the province for the construction of Quang Tri 2 thermo power plant with the same investment and capacity as the Quang Tri 1 thermo power plant. The two plants are expected to contribute VND2.5 trillion to the provincial budget a year after they go into operation.

Russian Gazprom Company will build a gas power plant with total capacity of 340MW.

Local leaders said they had seen breakthroughs in attracting investment in its energy sector in the past few years. They have also taken drastic measures to support businesses such as enhancing administrative reforms, improving the investment environment and providing tax and land lease breaks.  — VNS