Vietnam expects to operate 88 solar power plants by June

The additional 61 solar power plants are expected to generate a total capacity of 2GW.

Vietnam is forecasted to operate as many as 88 solar power plants by June 2019 as Vietnam Electricity (EVN) looks to speed up the completion of its 61 solar power projects, a report by Vietnam News revealed.

As of 17 May, 27 solar power plants in the country have started commercial operations from a mere four in April.

The additional 61 power plants are expected to generate a total capacity of 2GW. Overall, solar and wind power plants in Vietnam are forecasted to generate an approximate 4GW.

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“Renewable-energy power plant projects are mainly in the southern and south-central region, helping EVN to reduce pressure of supplying power to the southern region, a major economic hub of the country,” the report noted.

The local government encouraged the construction of solar power projects in April 2017, by incentivising operators who connect to the national grid from 1 June 2017 to 30 June 2019 with an eligibility to sell electricity to EVN at $0.0935 (VND2,086)/kWh, excluding value added tax (VAT).