Representatives cut the ribbon to inaugurate Vinh Tan 4 thermal power plant. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Thanh

The Vinh Tan 4 thermal power plant, an urgent project helping to ease the electricity shortage in the southern region, was officially inaugurated in the south central province of Binh Thuan last week.

The coal-fired plant is part of the Vinh Tan Power Centre in Vinh Tan commune of Tuy Phong district.

At a cost of more than VND36 trillion (US$1.55 billion), this thermal power plant has the total capacity of 1,200 MW and will generate about 7.2 billion kWh of electricity each year, mainly for the southern region that is witnessing robust economic growth.

It is expected to greatly help with power supply, especially during the dry season.

Work on the plant began in March, 2014. It has produced more than 10.6 billion kWh of electricity for the national grid so far.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said the plant can supply a considerable amount of electricity for the national grid, helping to ensure power supply, particularly amidst many other big projects lagging behind schedule.

The factory is equipped with modern technologies, with the localisation rate of 26 per cent, meeting requirements of environmental protection.

It is also one of the preconditions for Binh Thuan to become a national energy hub, he noted.

As each year Viet Nam needs to have new power generating sources with the total capacity of 5,000 – 6,000 MW to serve development demand, Binh asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises and the Viet Nam Electricity group to facilitate investment into power projects, including those using non-State capital, to improve power supply. — VNS