Construction of the first phase of Soc Trang wind power plant No 3 began in Vinh Chau Commune, Soc Trang Province on Saturday.

Costing VND1.36 trillion (US$59 million) and financed by BPP Vinh Chau Wind Power Co (BPPVC), a subsidiary of Banpu Power, the 10ha plant has a total capacity of 65MW.

Phase one has a capacity of 29.4MW operating with seven turbines.

Each year, the first seven turbines would generate about 84.7 GWh of electricity, making contribution to ensuring national energy security as well as the development of renewable energy in Viet Nam, the company said in a statement.

The first phase of the plant is slated for completion at the end of 2020.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Tran Van Chuyen, chairman of the provincial People's Committee praised the investor's efforts in implementing the project.

He said it would not only help accelerate the development of local wind power industry but also create jobs, increase budget revenues and support energy for production and business.

Banpu Power is one of the leading energy groups of both conventional power generation and renewable power production in the Asia-Pacific region, including Thailand, Lao PDR, China, Japan, and Viet Nam.

Banpu Power owns and operates a total of 29 power plants and power projects with capacity of 2,189 MWe, with an unrealised capacity of 705 MWe from under development projects. — VNS