Hau River power project kicks off

HA NOI — Infrastructure construction of the Hau River Power Centre began yesterday in Chau Thanh District, southern Hau Giang Province at an estimated total cost of VND3.98 trillion (US$209.6 million).

The Viet Nam National Petroleum Group (PVN) project includes site clearance in the first stage of project, followed by construction of a port, electricity and water utilities and worker dormitories.

The 360-ha centre will host three power generation facilities with a total capacity of 5,200 MW.

PVN expect to begin construction of Song Hau Power Plant 1 on the site in 2011 with a total capital of $1.5 billion, with it beginning operations in 2015.

Nguyen Quoc Khanh, PVN deputy general director, said the project was a vital component in the group's electricity power development strategy by 2015. The group intends to produce a total electric output of 9,000 MW, accounting for 25-30 per cent of total national power output.

The plant, based in Hau Giang Province, when complete will act as the regional electric power generation centre of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region and would provide electricity for the national grid. — VNS