By the end of July 2017, hundreds of solar projects had registered to invest in Viet Nam with total capacity of up to 17,000 MW.

This was stated by the Energy Programme’s officer under the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to the World Bank’s solar powered potential map, Viet Nam’s solar energy resources are plentiful, with thermal radiation of some 2,056 kw/sq.m. per year extending from the central provinces to the Mekong Delta.

Solar power is considered the main source of energy for renewable energy development, which is drawing the attention of domestic and foreign investors.

Notably, the southern province of Ninh Thuan has huge potential for solar power, attracting some 140 projects, followed by Binh Thuan with 100 projects, Dak Lak with 13 projects and Khanh Hoa Province with 12 projects.

Of these, there are many large-scale projects, such as Thien Tan Group’s 2,000 MW solar power project invested in Ninh Thuan and Quang Ngai, Xuan Cau Group’s 2000 MW in Tay Ninh, TH True-Milk Group and Xuan Thien Company Limited’s investment in solar power projects in Dak Lak with capacity of some 3,000 MW each.

Regarding the electricity sector, Electricity of Viet Nam is also investing in nearly 20 projects with total installed capacity of 2,000 MW in Khanh Hoa, Kon Tum, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Dong Nai provinces.

Experts in the field of energy said with this enormous potential and the Government’s interest in this source of energy, in conjunction with the announcement of the solar electricity price mechanism, which will come into effect next month, the target of reaching total capacity of 12,000 MW from solar power is feasible. — VNS