VOV.VN - A solar power plant valued at over VND1 trillion (US$43 million) in the southern province of Long An joined the national grid on June 23.

The BCG - CME Long An 1 solar power plant is expected
o generate some 57 million kWh per year.

The BCG - CME Long An 1 solar power plant, installed with 123,000 solar panels, is estimated to have a combined capacity of 40.6 megawatt peak (MWp). The site covers more than 50 hectares in Thanh An commune, Thanh Hoa district.

The power plant is expected to generate some 57 million kWh per year, which meets the power demand of 22,000 residents. It could also trigger an annual CO2 reduction of 16,000 tons.

The Long An provincial People’s Committee has worked closely with Bamboo Capital Group (BCG), Vietnam – Oman Investment joint venture, and many prestigious foreign energy developers to implement the project on a par with standardized technical, constructional, and environmental requirements. Other auxiliary items have also been executed, including a 110kV transformer station, road sections, water pumping stations, and one nine-kilometer transmission line.

Pham Van Canh, Vice Chairman of the Long An provincial People’s Committee, said the power plant would provide the locality with an increasingly stable supply of power and consolidate local socio-economic development as well.

Canh noted that the total power demand of Long An’s industrial parks is forecast to grow annually by 15 - 18 per cent over the coming years. Given this, the southern locality plans to have 16 solar power plants built in response to the expected soaring power demand.

The province has also given priority to increasing renewable resources in the near future, with a hope of spurring its economic development and creating additional jobs for locals.