Proposed Solutions to Overcome Obstacles for Renewable Energy Projects in Quang Tri Province
Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province, Ha Sy Dong, stated that the province has proposed to the Prime Minister important solutions to overcome challenges faced by renewable energy projects.
Thus far, the total installed capacity of renewable energy projects in the province that have been put into commercial operation is 1,119.5 MW.
Regarding renewable energy projects already included in the Power Development Plan VII and its adjustment, which are currently under investment in the province: There are currently 11 wind power projects with a total capacity of 424 MW and 7 small hydropower projects with a total capacity of 93 MW under development. One of these, the Huong Linh 4 Wind Power Plant, has completed installation but is awaiting permission from authorized agencies to conduct testing and supervision procedures for grid connection to the national power system for official operation. In addition, several other projects are facing delays due to issues with grid connection extensions and specialized agreements with the power sector, resulting in slow progress and a waste of social resources.
Therefore, the Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee proposed that the Prime Minister consider instructing relevant ministries and sectors to resolve these issues promptly to bring these projects into operation. At the same time, based on the province’s practical situation, consider allocating an additional 1,500 – 2,000 MW of onshore wind power capacity and 2,600 – 4,000 MW of offshore wind power capacity to Quang Tri Province.
Additionally, the Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee also proposed to the Prime Minister regarding the early approval of the Plan for the Implementation of the Power Development Plan VIII and the request to convert the coal-fired power plant project to an LNG-fired power plant project.
Earlier, at the regular Government meeting for November on December 7, 2024, the Government voted to pass a resolution on the orientation, direction, and solutions to overcome difficulties and obstacles for renewable energy projects, including addressing violations and problems, and providing guidelines, principles, and authority for resolution.
With the orientation to become the energy center of Central Vietnam by 2030, Quang Tri Province has recently requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to add an additional 4,100 – 6,000 MW of onshore and offshore wind power capacity to the Power Development Plan VIII.
Adding 6,000 MW of Power Capacity to the Master Plan
Quang Tri Province aims to become the energy center of Central Vietnam by 2030, in line with the Government’s support and the resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress.
To date, the total commercial power generation capacity of energy projects in the province is 1,119.5 MW, and it is expected that in 2024, an additional wind power project with a capacity of 30 MW will be put into commercial operation.
Several other wind and hydropower projects with a total capacity of 487 MW are under development, along with LNG-fired power projects with a capacity of 1,500 MW, natural gas-fired power projects with a capacity of 340 MW, and a proposed conversion of a coal-fired power project to an LNG-fired power project with a capacity of 1,500 MW.
Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is also constructing several 500kV transformer and transmission line projects in Quang Tri Province. The operation of these transmission grid projects will enhance power transmission capacity and provide the basis and criteria for Quang Tri Province to further develop the potential of wind power projects in the western and offshore areas.
According to the Power Development Plan VIII, Quang Tri Province is allocated a total capacity of 1,800 MW by 2030. Excluding the projects already in operation, the province commits to selecting investors for the remaining allocated capacity of 632.6 MW.
However, there are currently 62 onshore wind power projects with a total capacity of approximately 4,748 MW that have been studied, surveyed, and included in the list of potential projects in the Power Development Plan VIII.
Therefore, the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province proposed to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to consider allocating an additional 1,500 – 2,000 MW of onshore wind power capacity to the province.
According to local leaders, for offshore wind power in the Con Co Island area, there are currently three offshore wind power projects with a total capacity of 2,600 MW included in the list of potential projects in the Power Development Plan VIII, and four projects with a total capacity of 3,000 MW that have been approved by the People’s Committee for survey and research. As a result, Quang Tri Province proposed to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to consider allocating offshore wind power capacity to Quang Tri with a capacity of 2,600 – 4,000 MW. The total capacity that Quang Tri Province proposed to add to the Power Development Plan VIII this time is 4,100 – 6,000 MW of onshore and offshore wind power.
