A new solar farm valued at VND750 million (about US$32.5 million) was officially opened for operation in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan on Thursday.

Financed by LICOGI 16 Joint Stock Co, the 35MWp Nhon Hai-Ninh Thuan solar farm covers 42ha in Nhon Hai District.

LICOGI 16 General Director Tang Quoc Thuoc said the farm will contribute 59 million kWh per year to the national grid, raking in about VND136 billion annually and creating stable jobs.

During the opening ceremony, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Van Binh praised the investor’s efforts to ensure the project, the first-ever in Ninh Hai District, remained on schedule despite many challenges.

He also asked departments, sectors, and authorities in the district to create optimal conditions for the company to invest in related fields, contributing to local socio-economic development.

Blessed with abundant sunshine and wind all year round, Ninh Thuan has given priority to wind and solar power, liquefied natural gas, and pumped-storage hydroelectricity projects, in a bid to become the country’s renewable energy hub.

It is now home to 23 operational solar power projects with a combined capacity of about 1,403MWp. By late 2020, eight more projects will have been put into operation, raising total capacity to 2,123MWp and generating approximately 2.5 billion kWh. — VNS