A solar power system is installed at a private house in Da Nang. A German investor plans to build a solar power plant in the city. — VNS Photo

DA NANG (Biz Hub) — The German ASEAN Power Company plans to build a solar power plant in the central city with an investment of US$400 million, a senior official of the company has said.

In a meeting with the central city's people committee, the company's general manager, Moritz Sticher said Da Nang was seen as a potential city in Viet Nam with development of renewable energy in the future.

Moritz said the plant is designed with a capacity of 40 megawatt (MW), and the study and survey would start later this July.

He said the company will cover construction and technology transfer for the city.

Vice Chairman of the city's People's Committee, Tran Van Mien said the city always ensures top priority for high-tech and clean technology investment projects as Da Nang plans to build as a ‘green' city by 2025.

According to a report from the city's Industry and Trade department, around 30 per cent of the city's population is using solar power for heaters, while five-star hotels and resorts have been using the solar power heater system as a saving and as an environment-friendly solution.

The first solar power system of Da Nang was built in FPT Complex project -- the Information Technology (IT) Service Centre of Viet Nam software giant, FPT Corporation in 2014. The system supplies 12kWh each day and a solar-power heater system with a capacity of 1,500 litres.

Da Nang is seen as the first city in Viet Nam to promote clean energy solutions for residential use as the city has been developed as a tourist attraction with green and high-tech industries.

In 2014, the city's Science and Technology department began a one-year pilot project of installation solar power system for deep-sea fishing vessels.

Last year, Viet Nam's first solar power with 19.2MW capacity project was built in the central province of Quang Ngai. — VNS