The construction of a solar power plant, capitalised at VND1 trillion (nearly US$44 million), kicked off on Sunday in the southern province of Binh Thuan.

Spanning 45ha in Bac Binh Distict, Song Luy 1 solar power plant will install 130,000 solar panels that will enable to produce 80 million kWh annually.

Financed by the province’s Binh Thuan Solar Power Investment Joint Stock Company, the plant is slated for completion in April 2019.

Nguyen Ngoc Hai, chairman of Binh Thuan People’s Committee, said that the solar power plant – one of the priority projects in the locality – would mark an important milestone in the province’s new energy development scheme.

Once operational, the plant will not only contribute to increasing capacity of the national power grid but also encouraging more investors to develop similar projects in the province, Hai said.

In his speech at the event, Chairman of Binh Thuan solar power investment joint stock company Tran The Thanh said his company has co-operated closely with world-leading firms in solar power to develop and operate the plant.

Thanh said he hoped his company’s project will help utilise Binh Thuan’s potential for solar power development, contribute to the province’s socio-economic development and create more local jobs.

As part of the province’s master plan until 2030, Binh Thuan is calling for investment in solar power plants with a combined capacity of more than 4,000MW.

Binh Thuan is expected to become a clean power centre for the country in the near future.

Earlier on September 19, work on the province’s first solar energy project worth $44 million commenced in its Tuy Phong District.

Covering an area of 50ha, the plant is expected to produce a maximum of 63 million kWh a year for Binh Thuan Province. — VNS