Ba Ria-Vung Tau People’s Committee has granted in principle approval for two domestic enterprises to develop two solar power plants, with combined investment of more than VND1.5 trillion (US$64.4 million) in the province.

The HCM City-based energy development company will pump VND796 billion into the development of a 42ha solar power plant in Tam Bo reservoir.

Meanwhile, the DTD natural energy investment company in HCM City will build a 35 MWp solar power plant on 40ha of water surface in Gia Hoet 1 reservoir at a cost of VND766 billion.

Both plants are located in Quang Thanh Commune, Chau Duc District.

The southern coastal province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau has favourable conditions for renewable energy. On average, it has from 2,000 to 2,600 sunny hours per year, with radiant intensity of about 5.47kWh per square metre per day.

Studies on the potential of renewable energy showed that by 2030, Viet Nam will be able to develop about 8,000MW of small hydroelectricity; 20,000MW of wind power; 3,000MW of biomass power; and 35,000MW of solar power.

The renewable energy development strategy for 2015-30 approved in 2015 aims for the amount of power produced from renewable energy sources to increase from 58 billion kWh in 2015 to 101 billion kWh in 2020, 186 billion kWh in 2030 and 452 billion kWh in 2050. — VNS