BP Solar 1 solar power plant in the south central province of Ninh Thuan was inaugurated on Sunday, becoming the first Vietnamese-constructed solar power project to be connected to the national grid.

Work on the 62ha plant started in June 2018 at a total cost of more than VND1.3 trillion (US$56.3 million). The project, including transmission lines and transformation stations, is designed to generate 74.45 million KWh per year.

According to Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Luu Xuan Vinh, the plant’s construction was completed earlier than scheduled, a credit to its investor - BP Solar Joint Stock Company.

He hoped other investors of solar power projects will accelerate their work to get connected to the national grid soon, making Ninh Thuan a renewable energy centre of the country.

Vinh also expressed his wish that investors will pay due attention to creating jobs for locals as well as implementing social welfare policies to improve livelihoods.

Ninh Thuan Province is home to 25 solar power projects and the province hopes to attract more capital to develop solar power projects with a total capacity of 3.912MW between now and 2030. — VNS