The visit reflected the French Government's and AFD's strong interest in Vietnam's key power transmission infrastructure projects, while reaffirming the effectiveness of the longstanding cooperation between the two sides in the energy sector.

The delegation included Mr. Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of France to Vietnam; Mr. Étienne Ranaivoson, Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Hugo Pierrel, Deputy Country Director of AFD in Vietnam; and Mr. Florent Germain, AFD's Southeast Asia Regional Energy Team Leader.

Welcoming and working with the delegation were Mr. Bui Van Kien, EVNNPT Deputy General Director; Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Deputy Director of the Central Power Projects Management Board (CPMB); together with representatives of relevant units.

During the meeting, EVNNPT presented an overview of the Binh Duong 1 500kV Substation Project. The project is a nationally significant energy infrastructure project developed by EVNNPT. It comprises two 500/220/35kV transformers, each with a capacity of 900MVA. Construction commenced on 15 January 2024 and was completed in the fourth quarter of 2025, in line with EVNNPT's implementation schedule. In Phase 1, one transformer was fully installed.

EVNNPT Deputy General Director Bui Van Kien speaks at working session with delegation from French Embassy in Vietnam and French Development Agency (AFD). Photo: Le Linh

The project is one of three financed under AFD's €67 million non-sovereign loan package to EVNNPT. Of this amount, the Binh Duong 1 500kV Substation Project received an AFD loan of €14.12 million, accounting for approximately 70% of the project's total investment cost, with €13.71 million having been disbursed to date.

This is also EVNNPT's first non-sovereign loan, marking an important milestone in diversifying investment capital for Vietnam's power transmission system. It also reflects the confidence of international financial institutions in EVNNPT's governance capacity and its ability to implement and manage large-scale infrastructure projects.

Delegation from French Embassy in Vietnam and French Development Agency (AFD) visited Binh Duong 1 500kV Substation. Photo: Le Linh

The Binh Duong 1 500kV Substation plays a vital role in improving the reliability of electricity supply for Ho Chi Minh City and the southern key economic region. It enhances transmission capacity, alleviates loading on the Song May and Tan Dinh 500kV substations, and contributes to the safe and stable operation of Vietnam's national transmission system.

Notably, this is the first project completed under Vietnam's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). Under the JETP framework, France has committed €500 million to support Vietnam's energy transition, reduce carbon emissions, and help achieve the country's net-zero emissions target by 2050.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet highly appreciated EVNNPT's close cooperation throughout the loan arrangement and implementation process, which ensures the project is implemented on schedule and the effective use of the financing. He affirmed that the French Embassy and AFD regard EVNNPT as a trusted strategic partner with the capability to undertake additional loans and technical assistance programs in the future.

On behalf of EVNNPT, Deputy General Director Bui Van Kien expressed his sincere appreciation to the French Embassy in Vietnam and AFD for their longstanding support of EVNNPT and Vietnam's power sector. He reaffirmed EVNNPT's commitment to making effective use of international financing, ensuring that projects are implemented on schedule and deliver their intended investment benefits to meet the country's growing electricity demand and support socio-economic development. He also expressed EVNNPT's hope for continued support from the French Government and AFD through future cooperation programs, technical assistance initiatives, and concessional financing for power transmission projects.

Translator: Vân Ly