Sao Mai Group put the first phase of its major solar power plant into operation in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on Saturday.

Covering an area of 275ha in An Hao Commune, Tinh Bien District, the Sao Mai Solar PV1 plant costs nearly VND6 trillion (US$257.5 million). It has a total capacity of 210 MWp.

In the first phase, the plant covers 120ha with a capacity of 104 MWp. It will generate 250,000 MWh each year, equivalent to the electricity consumed by more than 50,000 households.

The second phase, which has a capacity of 106 MWp, is slated for completion later this year.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, chairman of the An Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh praised the plant saying that this is the biggest solar power project in the locality thus far.

The project will make an important contribution to speeding up local socio-economic development and ensuring national energy security, the chairman said.

As of June 30, as many as 82 solar power plants with a combined capacity of 4,460MW had been connected to the national grid, according to the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) group. This means solar power currently accounts for 8.3 per cent of Viet Nam’s electricity capacity. — VNS