The Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) on July 28 activated the first machine unit and a 500KV distribution facility of the Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant Project in Hau Giang Province to prepare for commercial operation next year.

Ho Xuan Hien, head of the Song Hau 1 Petroleum Power Project’s Management Board, said this activation allows the investor and the general contractor to check the quality of the boiler equipment and related systems for ensuring technical conditions to complete trial operation and the next important milestones of the project.

The Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant is expected to generate electricity and be connected to the national grid this year. It hopes to be put into commercial operation in 2021.

Nguyen Van Tuan, vice chairman of Hau Giang People's Committee, said the operation of the Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant will contribute to ensuring energy for the province and the Mekong Delta region.

The project management board needs to follow the schedule for the remaining work at this project for operation as planned. The provincial authorities would solve obstacles in completing construction of this project, Tuan said.

The Song Hau Thermal Power Plant Project 1 has two machine units with a total capacity of 1,200MW to produce a total output of 7,800 GWh per year. Its commercial power output is estimated to reach 7,301 GWh per year.

This project has a total investment of over VND43 trillion (US$1.86 billion).

According to the project management board, up to now, 86 per cent of the total workload at the project has been completed, including design, procurement and installation of major technology equipment.

The project plays an important role in implementing the oil and gas industry’s power development strategy towards 2030. — VNS