Deputy PM Dung inspects Vietnam’s largest power centre

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung visited the south central province of Binh Thuan on December 15 to inspect the progress of the Vinh Tan Thermal Power Centre, the largest power centre in Vietnam.

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung at the Vinh Tan Thermal Power Centre
Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung at the Vinh Tan Thermal Power Centre

He asked investors, contractors and local authorities to ensure complete safety during the construction, testing and operation of power plants in the centre, which is located near the Hon Cau marine reserve.

Dung emphasised that no trouble will be allowed to affect the environment and the lives of local residents.

He also asked the investors to give further support to local residents in building new rural areas, especially the development of essential infrastructure, noting that those who backed relocation of their homes for the project must benefit from it.

Once completed, Vinh Tan’s total capacity will be an estimated four times higher than that of the 2,400-MW Son La Hydropower Plant, which is currently Vietnam’s largest power station.

The complex consists of five plants, two of which are directly invested by EVN, namely the 1,200-MW Vinh Tan 4, which is now in the final installation stage before official operation, and 600-MW Vinh Tan 4 extension, which is 50% completed.

The 1,240-MW Vinh Tan 1 and 1,980-MW Vinh Tan 3 are currently under construction under build-transfer-operate contracts.

The remaining 1,244-MW Vinh Tan 2, invested by Power Generation Corporation 3, a unit of EVN, has already been put into operation.

According to EVN’ deputy director general Nguyen Tai Anh, Vinh Tan 2 produced more than 7,100 billion kWh in 2016, making an important contribution to ensuring power supply to the southern region.

He added that waste treatment and monitoring systems have been in stable and reliable operation, and data is continually sent to the Binh Thuan Department of Natural Resources and the Environment as required.

In addition, ash and cinders are transported to and buried at the landfill site in accordance with the proper process so that no dust is emitted in the environment.

The Vinh Tan 2 has also signed a contract to use cinders and ash to produce building materials with the production scheduled to start in March of next year, ensuring all the plant’s waste will be consumed.