Regional Coal: Vung Ang II thermal power plant set for trial run
Wednesday, September 4 2024 - 06:11 AM WIB
The Vung Ang II Thermal Power Plant, a major energy project in Vietnam's Ha Tinh province, is set to commence trial operations of its first turbine next month, theinvestor.vn reported on Tuesday. The US$2.4 billion, 1,320-MW plant is developed by Vung Ang II Thermal Power LLC (VAPCO), with significant investments from One Energy Asia Limited, where Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation and Chugoku Electric Power hold stakes of 40% and 20%, respectively, and South Korea’s Kepco holding the remaining 40%.
VAPCO recently reported that the installation of critical infrastructure for the first turbine, including the boiler, exhaust gas treatment system, domestic and industrial wastewater treatment systems, hazardous waste storage, and ash-slag storage area, has been completed. The plant will utilize a mixture of coal and bitumen imported from countries like Indonesia and Australia as its primary fuel source.
Construction of the Vung Ang II plant, located within the Vung Ang Economic Zone, began in October 2021. The project is 75% financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), with South Korea-invested Doosan Enerbility Vietnam serving as the general contractor.
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In June, a progress report suggested that the plant could commence operations ahead of its original schedule, with the first turbine expected to begin commercial operations in July 2025, followed by the second in November 2025. However, the early completion of construction could see these dates brought forward.
Vung Ang II is one of six coal-fired power plants currently under construction in Vietnam, as outlined in the country's Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII). These plants are expected to contribute 6,125 MW to the national grid, part of the 30,127 MW expected to be produced by all coal-fired plants in Vietnam by 2030.
In line with Vietnam's sustainable development goals, all coal-fired power plants, including Vung Ang II, are planned to transition to using biomass and ammonia as fuel by 2050. PDP VIII has also led to the discontinuation of dozens of coal-fired power projects with a combined capacity of 13,220 MW, reflecting the country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and embracing cleaner energy sources.
Editing by Alexander Ginting