| By Huynh Kim
CAN THO – The Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu has halted the development of two coal-fired thermal power projects and has called for investments in renewable energy projects. Le Van Hoang, deputy director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, said that according to the adjusted National Power Development Planning VII, Bac Lieu will have two coal-fired thermal power plants with a combined capacity of 1,200 megawatts. However, the province had asked for the prime minister’s permission to stop the two projects as they might cause a high risk of environmental pollution and affect the marine ecosystem in the province as well as its seafood farming plan. According to the department, the province, with a coastline of 56 kilometers and strong winds, has potential for renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and biomass energy. At present, the Bac Lieu 1 and 2 wind power plants, which were invested in by Cong Ly Company and have a total annual capacity of 99.2 megawatts and 62 wind turbines, are operating stably. They are expected to produce more than 1.1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity by the end of this year. The province has proposed adding two new wind power projects with a combined capacity of 200 megawatts to the adjusted National Power Development Planning VII. Moreover, the province has successfully called for an investment of US$4 billion in the 3,200-megawatt Bac Lieu liquefied natural gas-fired thermal power plant. Delta Offshore Energy Company, the investor of the project, is speeding up the completion of procedures to kick off the project early next year and complete it by 2027. As for rooftop solar power projects, the Bac Lieu Department of Industry and Trade has coordinated with other relevant departments and agencies to launch a program to provide consulting for the installment of rooftop solar power systems across the province. By October 2020, 607 households and entities in the province had installed rooftop solar power systems. After being put into operation, these renewable energy projects will contribute significantly to the province’s industry and become a driving force for its socioeconomic development and economic restructuring and a premise for Bac Lieu to become a renewable energy center of the country. Hoa Binh District of the province is developing a model that combines solar power generation and shrimp farming. | ||
