Wind power plant built in Ninh Thuan

The 40-MW wind park is built on an area of 9.6 hectares with a total investment of 80 million USD.

The project consists of two phases, of which the first phase is expected to finish by October 2017 with three turbines operating. A total of 16 turbines will be fully operational in the second phase which lasts to October 2018.

Turbines used for the wind farm will be supplied by Spain’s Gamesa. With a capacity of 2,625 MW and a diameter of 114 metres, it is the largest wind turbine installed in Vietnam so far. Investors have been asked to mobilise all resources to implement the project promptly and ensure work and environment safety.

The provincial People’s Committee has directed local authorities to create favourable conditions to support investors during the project construction and their business in the localities. Vietnam has great potential for wind power, estimated at about 10,000 MW, according to research by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ).

The country needs to switch to renewable energy such as wind and solar power as it has cancelled its first two nuclear power projects and has started implementing commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, experts have said. Only four wind power projects are operating in the country with a total capacity of 160 MW, which is far below the huge potential that exists in the country. The Government has released its National Electricity Development Plan for 2011-2020 with a strategic priority on renewable energy, with wind power capacity targeted at 800 MW by 2020 and 6,000 MW by 2030.

Theo VEN/VNA