The plant's ground-breaking ceremony in Lạng Sơn Province. — Photo baodauthau

Construction of the 110 MW Na Dương II Thermal Power Plant was kicked off in the northern mountainous province of Lạng Sơn late last week. 

Invested by Vinacomin-Power Holding Corporation, a subsidiary of Vinacomin, the plant covers 11ha in Lộc Bình District. It has a total investment capital of over VNĐ4 trillion (US$164 million), baodauthau.vn reported. 

Once operational in 2026, the plant will generate 750 million kWh a year, bolstering national energy security, especially in the northeastern region, and creating millions of local jobs, according to the online newspaper. 

The plant, which is part of both the National Power Development Plan VII and VIII, was approved by the Prime Minister in May 2023. On April 1, 2024, Lạng Sơn authorities approved in principle the Vinacomin-Power Holding Corporation to build the plant in the locality. 

Under the National Power Development Plan VIII for the 2021-30 period with a vision to 2050, only the coal-fired power projects listed in the adjusted plan VII and those currently under construction will be continued, and there will be no new coal-fired power projects after 2030.

Việt Nam targets that by 2050, coal will no longer be used for power generation, but biomass and ammoniac instead. Coal-fired power plants aged over 40 years will be closed if they are unable to switch to other fuels.

The plan is considered a breakthrough in the energy sector as it shows Việt Nam's determination to gradually eliminate coal and gas-fired power generation and promote renewable energy to achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2050, experts have said. — VNS