Con Dao holds a particularly important position for national defence, security, and maritime sovereignty. It is also a high-value destination in terms of history, culture and tourism. The island has been planned to become a distinctive tourist island of national and international significance.
As Con Dao's socio-economic development accelerates, power demand will grow substantially. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade's forecast, the island district will need about 90 MW of electricity by 2035 and 114 MW by 2045.
Con Dao is currently powered by diesel generators with a total capacity of 11,820 kW, only sufficient to meet the everyday needs of its residents and partially serve businesses and production facilities on the island. Therefore, connecting Con Dao to the national grid is crucial to ensure the island’s development in the coming years.
With a total cost of 4.923 trillion VND (192.3 million USD), the project to supply electricity from the national grid to Con Dao aims to provide stable and safe electricity, meeting development goals and ensuring national defence, security and maritime sovereignty.
The project will include overhead 110 kV power lines, 10 kV undersea cables, underground cables on the island and a 110 kV gas-insulated substation.
EVN has proposed constructing a 110 kV sea-crossing line comprising 23.1 km of overhead lines, more than 73 km of undersea cables, and 6.1 km of underground cables on the island, along with other facilities. This is considered a feasible option, ensuring financial efficiency and continuous power supply, while also creating conditions for establishing a fibre optic cable line between the mainland and Con Dao.
According to EVN, supplying electricity from the national grid via undersea cables ensures continuous, stable and long-term power supply following the maximum load demand on the island. Regarding the underground cables on the island, construction must meet stringent environmental requirements to avoid affecting Con Dao National Park.
Construction began this March and is expected to be completed by the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2, providing a total capacity of about 29 MW by 2026, 55 MW by 2030, and 90 MW by 2035.
Pham Thanh Hoai, Director of Power Project Management Unit 3, which is responsible for implementing the project, stated that contractors are working hard on project components. In Soc Trang Province, where the line starts, foundations for some mainland poles have been constructed while piles are being quickly manufactured and installed.
On Con Dao, contractors have completed approximately 50% of the construction work on Northwest Road, are preparing to pour concrete for various components, and have completed the emergency oil tank, the pump station building, the security building, the fire-fighting water tank, and foundation work for the gas insulated building at the 110 kV Con Dao Substation. To date, more than 20% of the undersea cable route has been completed, with the entire line expected to be finished by the end of April this year.
Soc Trang Party Secretary Lam Van Man stated that the province has been supporting and expediting legal procedures, and creating favourable conditions for construction units working on the project, particularly in site clearance work.
According to EVN Deputy General Director Nguyen Tai Anh, to meet the proposed timeline, EVN has asked the Power Project Management Unit 3, construction contractors, equipment suppliers and design consultants to concentrate resources and work round the clock, as well as work closely with functional agencies to overcome difficulties, especially in site clearance and handover of sea areas for the project.
Thai Thu Xuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), suggested ensuring labour safety and caring for workers' welfare and health. The VGCL will visit and encourage workers at construction sites, and promptly reward teams and individuals with outstanding achievements.
