The construction of a solar power plant, valued at VND3.55 trillion (more than US$150 million), began in Duyen Hai Township in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh on Saturday.

Financed by Trung Nam Tra Vinh Solar Power JSC, the 171ha plant has designed capacity of 165MWp. It is expected to become operational in the second quarter of 2019 and contribute more than 250 million kWh of electricity to the national grid annually.

The construction of the plant not only helps cut greenhouse gas emissions, but also generates jobs for more than 1,500 workers and contributes to development and social welfare in the region, said Do Van Kien, general director of Trung Nam Tra Vinh Solar Power JSC.

In a speech at the plant’s ground-breaking ceremony, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Anh Dung said the project is part of a renewal energy development plan.

He asked Trung Nam Tra Vinh Solar Power JSC to quickly complete procedures, focus resources on the construction, strictly follow environment standards and not negatively impact on locals’ lives.

Local authorities would create favourable conditions for the investor to ensure the project is implemented on schedule, Dung said.

According to experts, Viet Nam has extensive resources to develop solar energy with technical potential estimated at 300 Gigawatts (GW). The Government has set ambitious targets to install 12GW of solar power by 2030. — VNS