More than 120 solar power projects have been added to the national power development plan

Power China, for example, won the bid to become EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contractor of the Vinh Tan 2 Solar Power Plant, belonging to Vinh Tan 2 Solar Power project implemented under the joint name of Sinohydro Corporation Ltd and Power China Kuming Engineering Corporation Ltd Consortium.

Power China is also the contractor who implemented an important package deal of the Hong Phong 1 and Hong Phong 2 Renewable Power projects developed by Vietracimex. 

It also got involved in the DMS-8 package on the design, supply, installation and testing of photoelectric equipment of Da Mi Solar power plant and a package deal at Song Bun 4 hydropower plant in Quang Nam province.

According to Pham Pho, former rector of the Sai Gon Economics & Polytechnic Junior College, China sells solar power equipment and components globally including developed countries such as the US. 

China is leading the world in solar power technology.

“China has modern technologies, but the question is, will it sell the technologies to Vietnam, or provide cheap low-quality technologies?” Pho said.

He said that Chinese contractors may implement small-scale projects. The Vinh Tan 2 Solar Power Plant, for example, has small capacity of 42.65 MWp. But later, they will eye larger projects. 

“It may happen that Chinese contractors will raise prices, scramble for large package deals and monopolize the Vietnamese market,” he warned.

Vietnam encourages households to develop rooftop solar power systems. 

An energy expert said many problems exist at thermal power plants where Chinese enterprises work as contractors.

“Chinese win bids thanks to the low prices they offer. But during the implementation process, they will give many reasons to require higher expenses. The projects implemented by Chinese contractors turn out to be more costly than those from developed countries,” he said.

The expert said that Vietnam’s solar power has many other choices, including Japan, Germany and the US, so, it would be better not to use Chinese contractors because of their questionable reputation.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as of August 2018, 121 solar power projects with a combined designed capacity of 6,100 megawatts (MW) had been added to the national and provincial power development plans. The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has agreed to purchase the output from 25 projects.

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