Trucks collecting fly ash at Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant

In the first six months of 2025, Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant consumed more than 107,000 tons of fly ash, nearly matching the total amount generated. This is a remarkable result because the plant is located in Lam Dong province, far from major consumption markets such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong.

Recently, Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant has implemented a range of flexible measures to promote fly ash utilization, including the use of temporary ports for export and coordination with local organizations and units to develop local traffic projects using fly ash-mixed concrete.

At Hai Phong Thermal Power Joint Stock Company - the unit managing and operating Hai Phong 1 Thermal Power Plant and Hai Phong 2 Thermal Power Plant - has completed the consumption of 100% of the generated ash, with 497,669 tons in the first 6 months of 2025. The company has contracted out all fly ash to partner units, ensuring stable and continuous consumption. In addition, the Company has a system in place to collect bottom ash from the furnace and transport it via pipeline to a large slag dump covering 57.6 hectares, with a capacity of 3,459,000m³, which is sufficient for approximately four years of operation without the need for disposal.

These are some typical examples of efforts to consume fly ash from thermal power plants across Vietnam Electricity. EVN’s coal-fired power plants have adopted the common criterion of ensuring that fly ash meets quality standards, considering this the foundation for sustainable utilization. Synchronous solutions have been implemented, ranging from strict control of input fuels and optimization of furnace operations to reduce unburned coal to substantial investments in transportation and processing infrastructure. EVN also prioritizes cooperation with capable strategic partners, with transparent mechanisms and clear commitments. Even for plants far from consumption centers such as Vinh Tan, EVN also supports transportation costs to increase consumption rates.

Panorama of Hai Phong 1 Thermal Power Plant and Hai Phong 2 Thermal Power Plant

Success at thermal power plants in EVN cannot be separated from the support of state policies. The Government issued Decision 452/QD-TTg approving the Project to promote the treatment and use of fly ash, and gypsum from thermal power plants, chemical plants, and fertilizer plants as raw materials for the production of construction materials and in construction works (2017) and Directive 08/CT-TTg on strengthening the implementation of measures to shorten the time for granting construction permits and related procedures (2018), serving as a guideline for the handling and reutilization of fly ash.

Currently, most of EVN's coal-fired thermal power plants have consumed 100% of the generated fly ash.

For fly ash to truly become a resource, more coordinated, decisive, and innovative efforts are required. That is, improving the system of standards, issuing mechanisms to encourage the use of fly ash in landfills and roadbeds, and introducing policies to promote investment, trade, and export.

Speaking at the recent workshop on “Improving Regulations, Technical Standards, and Socio-Economic Norms in the Field of Environment”, EVN’s President and CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan affirmed: “EVN is always ready to accompany management agencies, the business community, and scientists in researching, proposing, and implementing solutions. We believe that, with synchronous coordination, fly ash will truly become a valuable resource, contributing to the sustainable development of the country”.

Translator: Hải Yến