Vietnam to Operate 39 More IPPs This Year

Vietnam is likely to put an additional 39 independent hydropower plants (IPPs) with a combined capacity of 396 MW into operation this year, the Vietnam & World Economy newspaper reported May 6, citing the Ministry of Industry and Trade's sources.

 

Six of these plants have already begun generating power with the total capacity of 43.1 MW per annum, the source said.

 

They consist of Dinh Binh plant in Binh Dinh province, Dakpihao plant in Gia Lai province, Song Muc plant in Thanh Hoa province, Krong Kmar plant in Dak Lak province, Ngoi Duong plant in Lao Cai province, and Dak Ru plant in Dak Nong province.

 

Private investors and joint stock companies have been the main financiers of IPPs following the government’s recently issued policy that encourages all economic sectors to invest in building power plants.

 

According to the ministry's report, investors had registered to construct 217 IPPs with a combined capacity of 4,100 MW by early April of this year.

 

The electricity sector is expected to put in use 16 other IPPs with a combined capacity of 282 MW next year.

 

Vietnam needs US$3.83 billion a year for power generation projects during the 2006-2010 period, meanwhile, the power sector only capable of providing half of the money, the sector reported recently, adding that it needs more power plants to meet the growing demand, which is expected to reach 58,500 MW of electricity by 2015. (Vietnam & World Economy, VNA)