"Take a step ahead"

Representatives from Ho Chi Minh City government, Con Dao Special Economic Zone, and EVNHCMC performing ceremony to affix name board for smart grid construction project in Con Dao Special Economic Zone on February 1, 2026. Photo: Thanh Thien

In December 2025, EVN inaugurated the project to supply power to Con Dao from the national grid, featuring the longest undersea cable in Southeast Asia (77.7km) after only 9 months of implementation, nearly 3.5 months ahead of schedule. This is considered a historic turning point for this strategically important area, not only providing a stable and reliable power source and reducing costs, but also opening up new development opportunities for the locality.

National power grid extending across ocean to Con Dao.

Delegates performing ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate smart grid project in Con Dao Special Economic Zone, February 1, 2026. Photo: Thanh Thien

At the inauguration ceremony of the smart grid project in Con Dao on February 1, 2026, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council Vo Van Minh emphasized that the development of Con Dao should not only be extensive but also intensive, moving straight towards modernity, green development, and sustainability. In this context, the smart grid plays a crucial role as the "backbone," creating the foundational infrastructure for smart governance, while simultaneously linking economic growth with environmental protection and preserving the island's historical and cultural values.

Notably, Con Dao is the first special economic zone in the country to fully implement the smart grid model. This practice not only brings direct benefits to the locality but also creates a "model" for EVNHCMC to research, refine, and replicate in other special areas. From a management perspective, the system allows the Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation to proactively monitor and operate remotely, enhancing its capacity to respond to natural disasters and incidents. From a development perspective, this is an important foundation for integrating green energy sources, reducing emissions, and moving towards sustainable development.

Driving forces for the development of the marine economy

Over the years, EVN has consistently played a pioneering role as a key state-owned enterprise in the journey of illuminating the islands and seas of our homeland. Many projects bringing electricity across the sea have become engineering marvels, a testament to the efforts to overcome limitations under exceptionally harsh construction conditions.

Besides the project to supply power to Con Dao from the national grid with the longest undersea cable in Southeast Asia, many projects bearing the historical mark of the electricity industry, such as the 110kV undersea cable line from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc (2014), the project to supply power from the national grid to Lai Son island commune (2016), the 220kV undersea cable line from Kien Binh to Phu Quoc (2022)... have gradually created a new face for these areas at the forefront of the waves and winds.

Kien Binh - Phu Quoc 220kV power line, over 80km long, is the longest 220kV overhead submarine power line in Southeast Asia, ensuring power supply capacity for Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone until 2035.

Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC) commencing construction of Lai Son 110kV Substation in Kien Hai Special Zone, An Giang Province on December 17, 2025.

Continuing this persistent journey, EVN and its member units are implementing many power supply projects for coastal and island areas, most notably the projects to supply national grid power to 7 islands in An Giang province, including Hon Heo, Hon Nghe, Hon Doc, Lai Son, An Son, Nam Du, and Hon Thom, with a total investment of approximately VND 1,506 billion, invested by the Southern Power Corporation. Along with that are a series of projects to increase power supply capacity for coastal and island areas, such as the Phu Quoc 220kV Substation; the Lai Son 110kV Substation (Kien Hai Special Economic Zone, An Giang)... which are scheduled to be commenced in December 2025.

With these continuous efforts, EVN has clearly demonstrated its role as a key state-owned enterprise in fulfilling the strategic tasks assigned by the Party and the State. Each power supply project for islands and coastal areas not only represents an investment in infrastructure but also contributes to ensuring social stability, serving national defense and security, and creating a foundation for the development of a modern marine economy. Within this overall picture, EVN continues to steadfastly pursue the development of island and coastal energy infrastructure in a green, clean, and sustainable direction, linking economic growth with environmental protection and improving the quality of life for the people, so that islands and coastal areas truly become "precious gems" accompanying every sustainable step forward of the country.

Translator: Mạnh Hùng