Practical effects
In early 2017, the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province agreed in principle that Da Nhim - Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Joint Stock Co (DHD) would survey, study and invest in a floating solar power plant project on Da Mi reservoir, located in La Ngau commune, Tanh Linh district and Da Mi, La Da communes, Ham Thuan Bac district, Binh Thuan province. With a capacity of 47.5 MWp and the estimated electricity output of nearly 70 million kWh per year, the project is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2019.
Mr. Le Van Quang - General Director of DHD said that the implementation of the solar power project is in accordance with the policy of Power Generation Corporation 1 (EVNGENCO 1) in particular and EVN in general with the aim of promoting clean energy development all over the country. This is the first renewable energy project being assigned by EVNGENCO 1 to DHD. Therefore, after the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province approved the project investment policy, the company has accelerated further implementation steps.
Other than ground – mounted or rooftop solar power projects, floating projects on reservoirs are often more efficient because of a quite big difference between solar radiation and water surface thermal radiation. More advantages can be seen in Da Mi hydropower reservoir because a land lease contract is in place and therefore site clearance will not take much time. The water level variation of Da Mi reservoir is very low, only about 2 m, so reinforcement of racks for solar panel installation will be simpler.
Assessing the project effectiveness, Mr. Luu Duc Vinh - Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Tanh Linh district, Binh Thuan province asserted that during the project implementation, completion and putting into operation, the floating solar power project on Da Mi reservoir will not adversely affect the environment, not emit greenhouse gases, not require land since solar panels will be mounted on the reservoir surface. At the same time, the project will add power to the downstream areas, including Tanh Linh district. As a result, the people's living standards will be improved, production, business and service activities will be expanded, promoting the local socio - economic development, creating jobs for local people and contributing to the local budget.
Early inclusion into the master plan is needed
The floating solar power project on Da Mi reservoir will not only replenish a clean energy source for the country, but also contribute to the local socio - economic development. Therefore, according to Mr. Luu Duc Vinh, Tanh Linh district is particularly interested in and prioritized this project. When DHD develops the Solar Power Development Master Plan for Binh Thuan province up to 2020 with vision to 2030, an area of 53.2 hectares in Tanh Linh district has been planned for solar power development; the People's Committee of Tanh Linh district has approved and agreed to include the project into the master plan, so that the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Thuan province can proceed with further steps.
In order to complete the project inclusion, the People's Committee of Tanh Linh district has directed the Natural Resources and Environment Division, the Economic and Infrastructure Division, the Agriculture and Rural Development Division, La Nga Management Board for Protection Forest and La Ngu Commune People's Committee to collaborate with DHD to conduct site investigation and survey. For that reason, the project is included in the Land use planning until 2020 and the Land use plan for 2017 of Tanh Linh district.
During the site investigation and survey, DHD has received positive supports from the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province in general and Tanh Linh district in particular. Therefore, DHD is expediting procedures in order to in the immediate time serve the issuance of bidding documents, prioritize financial arrangement for the project, quickly install equipment with the goal of completing the project before June 2019.
According to the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province, this is an independent power generation project not listed in the National Power Development Master Plan for 2011 - 2020 with a vision to 2030. Thus the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province proposes that the Ministry of Industry and Trade should soon evaluate and approve the inclusion of the project into the Master Plan in accordance with the current regulations, creating a legal basis to facilitate the project implementation.