In early October 2023, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and the People's Committees of Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Soc Trang provinces finalized a plan to supply power from the national grid to the island with more than 12,000 people.
Power demand increasing
Con Dao district is being supplied with power from 9 diesel generator units, with a total capacity of 11,820kW, with available capacity reaching 9,600kW. However, in recent years, the power demand here has increased rapidly due to the locality's high growth rate, large number of tourists, and many projects being invested. In 2022, power demand will increase by more than 36% compared to that in 2021. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, commercial electricity will increase by 24.5% compared to that of the same period in 2022.
To ensure sufficient power supply for the socio-economic development of Con Dao district, according to EVN, in the period 2015-2021 the electricity industry has compensated the district for the cost of running diesel generators of nearly VND 530 billion, in 2022, it will be more than VND 174 billion.
Simulation of onshore and sea lines passing Soc Trang province
Expect to create a breakthrough
The project of extending the power grid to Con Dao was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 708/QD-TTg dated June 16, 2023, to ensure a stable and safe power supply for the island's power grid, to meet local development goals and contribute to ensuring national defense and security and national island sovereignty.
The project includes the construction of a new 110kV line, 1 circuit, from the 110kV feeder compartment at Vinh Chau 220kV Transformer Station (Soc Trang province) to the 110/22kV Con Dao Transformer Station; Expanding 1 bay of 110kV line at Vinh Chau 220kV Substation; Newly constructing Con Dao 110/22kV transformer station using GIS technology, scale 2x63 MVA (in this phase it is planned to install 1 63 MVA unit). The project is invested by EVN, with a total capital of more than VND 4,950 billion, using group-A public investment capital, a Grade-III energy project, to be implemented from 2023 to 2026, with an operating term of not less than 20 years.
At the meeting between EVN and the two relevant provinces, many plans were proposed such as option 1: to pull the overhead line 27.5 km long, option 2: to pull the overhead line 22.5 km long, and options 3 and 4 include some underground sections. Through careful discussion, representatives of EVN, Soc Trang province, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau province agreed to choose option 2, the transmission line in Soc Trang province goes overhead, including onshore and sea, with a total length of 22.5 km.
All opinions commented that this option does not affect local planning and natural forests, meets technical requirements for load capacity, and exerts little impact on residents and land. The elevation and clearance of the route will be designed to ensure the safety and aesthetics of the area. Along with the overhead line, the project of extending the power grid to Con Dao is also designed with a 73.3 km submarine cable section across the sea and an 8.43 km long underground cable section on the Con Dao side, the total length of the line is more than 104 km.
EVN representative emphasized that this is a project of strategic importance. Therefore, there needs to be consensus and support from localities, the investor will quickly carry out procedures to commence the project as soon as possible. During the construction process, modern technologies will be applied to ensure progress, safety, and no impact on the environment.
Con Dao district leaders said that when the project comes into operation, it will create a breakthrough for the district, helping the locality have favorable conditions to invest in construction to become a high-quality tourism-economic and service zone associated with preserving and embellishing special revolutionary relics, protecting the ecological environment, at the same time, it attracts large investors. It, thereby, promotes the development of the district, generating income, and improving the lives of people on the island.
Mr. Le Ngoc Khanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, said that unifying the power line route to Con Dao is a big step forward for the district to have access to electricity from the national grid, serving socio-economic development. In the long term, the project will not only serve the locality but also large-scale offshore wind power projects, bringing high economic efficiency.
Facing many questions about why wind power or solar power is not used in Con Dao district, at meetings between EVN and the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, Experts believe that investing in wind power and solar power can only supplement the power source without ensuring the main power source because it lacks stability, depending on seasonal wind speed and number of hours of sunshine. For wind power, investors propose electricity prices exceeding the electricity purchase price compared to regulated ones; Solar power occupies a fairly large land fund with about 01MW/1.2 hectares, while Con Dao's remaining land fund for investment and development is very limited, most of it is forest land in Con Dao National Park.