In such conditions, Thanglong Wind, offshore Ke Ga in Binh Dinh province, with the capacity of 3,400 MW, is hoped to offset the power capacity shortage.

However, the project is absent in the national power development program and is still under study.

On June 12, the Ke Ga offshore wind power project got a license from the Ministry of Industry and Trade for survey.

According to Enterprize Energy (EE), a representative of the investors, the group is cooperating with PECC3 to find existing grid and capacity problems in the current National seventh Power Development Plan. 

It is expected that from July 19, the group, together with its partners, will install LIDAR system to measure the wind speed in the air to collect wind data. The measurement will be done over 12 months.

The data will be collected from meteorological poles on Phu Quy island and anemometers installed on oil drilling rigs adjacent to the wind power project area.

On August 19, Enterprize Energy will conduct a geophysical survey, including measuring the depth of the seabed, conducting seabed topography survey and making shallow seismic measurements as well as a magnetic survey.

According to Ian Hatton, Chair of EE Group, the geological survey consists of drilling, sampling, conducting field tests and experiments to assess the seabed geological conditions.

Besides, investors will also conduct research and environmental survey (underwater and marine ecological survey).

Nguyen Minh Due, Chair of VEA’s Scientific Council, said the 3,400 MW project has great advantages. It is situated offshore, so there is no need to worry about emissions, while the wind is more powerful than onshore projects. It also doesn’t need land and doesn’t pollute the environment.

However, he said consultants need to analyze economic benefits that Vietnam and investors can expect from the project.

Tran Viet Ngai, an energy expert, said it is necessary to specify the start and end points of the lines and transformer stations. This is not a simple problem. The survey and construction of the project must be carried out simultaneously with the transformer stations with 220kV or 500kV lines.

After the survey period, PECC3 needs to clarify the wind power, how effective the project is, and how many kWh of electricity it can generate per annum to the national grid.

Ngai said VEA will send a document to the PM and ministries to encourage investments in offshore projects because of the high efficiency and environmental safety.

Kim Chi

Boosting financing for Vietnam’s onshore and offshore wind power projects

Vietnam is set for wind energy expansion, with over a gigawatt expected to be installed by 2021. 

Investor permitted to start survey for giant offshore wind power farm

UK based Enterprize Energy (EE) announced it had received a licence to conduct survey for a giant wind power farm offshore Ke Ga cape in the south central province of Binh Thuan.