EVNSPC’s staff inspect the solar panel system on the Spratly Islands - Photo: Ngoc Tuan
Before taking over the power system in Spratly Islands and DK1 rigs, EVNSPC sent delegations to these islands and rigs for surveying power generation and network system. The islands use solar and wind power. However, the survey’s findings showed that 70% of solar panels were still in a good condition, but the battery system was severely degraded.
80% of the equipment of wind power system could no longer operate normally to generate electricity, rotor blades and controllers of wind turbines were damaged due to not being periodically maintained. Given limited technical conditions and materials, the restoration of power system operation was infeasible, etc. This actual situation gave EVNSPC staff a “lesson” on investment and restoration of electrical equipment in compatibility with the marine environment in the coming time.
Applicable policies as those in the mainland
To realize power supply to the Spratly Island district, DK1 rigs, Truong Sa Power Department under Ninh Thuan Power Company has been established to take care of the island district.
As planned, before the Lunar New Year festival, EVNSPC will rehabilitate the whole power system including solar panels, lighting systems in submerged islands, rigs. Wind turbines will be replaced and diesel generators will be installed in the next stage. The total cost estimation for the two stages is about VND 145 billion.
Because the project is located geographically far from the mainland entailing difficult transport conditions, a delegation of the power sector quarterly goes to the island groups and rigs for inspection and maintenance, etc. EVNSPC targets to provide enough electricity in 24/24 hours for the islands and rigs.
Electricity services provided to not only the Spratly Islands, DK1 rigs but also other islands are charged at the same rates as in the mainland.
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A prototype in power supply to islands
Over the past years, Vietnam Electricity has taken over, managed operation and invested thousands of billion VND to ensure power supply in eleven out of twelve island districts of the country, in which EVNSPC directly supplies electricity to five island districts: Phu Quoc, Kien Hai (Kien Giang), Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), Phu Quy (Binh Thuan) and Spratly Islands (Khanh Hoa) including many island groups.
The forms of power supply in the island districts are quite diverse, including underground cables, overhead lines across the sea, solar power, wind power and even diesel. It is planned that EVNSPC will continue developing power grids in some Southwest areas such as Nam Du, An Son, Tien Hai, Hon Thom, etc. from October 2017 to 2020.
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