The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is seeking public comments on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports for the Ban Chat 1 and Ban Chat 2 projects, which have a combined capacity of 550 megawatts. The respective investors are VinEnergo Ban Chat 1 Co., Ltd. and VinEnergo Ban Chat 2 Co., Ltd.

Ban Chat 1 will have a designed capacity of 250 MW and an estimated investment of more than VND6.16 trillion ($238.53 million). Covering nearly 844 hectares across Muong Than, Than Uyen and Muong Kim communes, the project is expected to install 420,336 photovoltaic panels rated at 750 Wp each.

Ban Chat 2, located in Muong Kim and Than Uyen communes, will have a capacity of 300 MW and require investment of more than VND4.64 trillion ($179.65 million). The project will cover nearly 939 hectares and feature about 370,160 solar panels rated at 640 Wp each.

In addition to the floating solar array, Ban Chat 2 will include an outdoor 35/220 kV substation, a 220 kV transmission line connecting it to the national power grid, a monitoring and control system, and an operations and management facility.

Lai Chau authorities approved the investment policies for both projects on January 30, 2026, with subsequent revisions made during the year. The second amendments were issued on October 15.

According to the environmental impact assessment reports, construction was scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026. Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts are expected to run from October 2026 to October 2028, with trial operations due to begin in June 2028 and commercial operation targeted for October 30, 2028.

Lai Chau currently has about 3.1 GW of installed power generation capacity, mainly from hydropower. The province has yet to develop large-scale solar farms, floating solar plants or wind farms, but is moving to expand its renewable energy capacity. The planned projects are expected to diversify its energy mix and contribute to national energy security.