The sea-crossing grid to Phu Quoc island. Photo source: EVNSPC
Since the liberation of the South (1975), Phu Quoc has been attracting many investments to utilize its potential and advantages. However, many difficulties still hinder the development of the "Gem island", including power shortages. In the past, Phu Quoc used diesel-fired power, requiring high cost but giving unstable power quality. In 2007, Vietnam Electricity set up an investment project on an underground cable system, bringing the national power grid to Phu Quoc island. Till the Tet Holiday 2014, Phu Quoc was officially connected to the national grid. Such grid brings significant growths to Phu Quoc’s socio-economy. In 2019, Phu Quoc received more than 2.85 million tourists, an increase of 11.7% compared to that of 2018. The turnover reached more than VND 16,800 billion. In order to ensure safe, stable and high-quality power supply to meet the requirements of socio-economic development, over the years, EVN and its units have actively invested in power grid projects for Phu Quoc, particularly the Kien Binh - Phu Quoc 220kV sea-crossing line to Phu Quoc island with a total investment of more than VND 2,200 billion. This project is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2020.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thai - Vice Chairman of Ham Ninh Commune People's Committee, Phu Quoc district said that since the island were connected to the national grid, the people here have maintained and expanded their traditional trades in the area; at the same time developing industry - handicraft, tourism – services, etc.
Mr. Huynh Van Chich (Bai Vong hamlet, Ham Ninh commune) shared: “Thanks to the national power connection, our children use power to study, families use power for production and business activities. We clearly feel the significant improvement in our life quality, along with the day-by-day change in Phu Quoc.”
People in Tien Hai Island purchasing many electrical equipment since the connection of the national grid. Photo source: EVNSPC.
For Tien Hai island commune, Mr. Pham Van Xuan - Vice Chairman of Ha Tien City People's Committee (Kien Giang Province) said that, in the past, despite the island’s important position, the main power source to meet the people’s needs for production and living activities was supplied from diesel-fired power stations. Every day, the people are allowed to use power in 12 hours/day under the mode of alternate power outage. In June 2018, EVNSPC launched the project of connecting national power grid to Tien Hai island commune. In October 2019, the project’s 22kV main route of Mui Nai – Hon Doc was accepted for energization and put into operation, ensuring the required schedule and quality, promptly meeting the power needs for production and daily life of the island commune.
Mr. Vo Quoc Tuan - Director of Southern Power Project Management Board (under EVNSPC) said: “During the construction, we faced many difficulties. However, the investor and the construction units have made efforts and showed determination, taking the advantage of favourable weather conditions to implement and complete the work safely, meeting the quality and efficiency requirements".
Upon the first connection to the national power grid, the people in Tien Hai island commune are extremely excited and grateful to the Party, the State and Vietnam Electricity/Southern Power Corporation.
Phu Quoc and Tien Hai are just two of many island districts and island communes on which EVN and its units have been actively providing stable, safe and high-quality power supply with power selling prices equal to that in the mainland. It can be said that the power sector in general and EVN in particular have been properly implementing their political task of supplying power to remote, deep-laying, rural, mountainous and island areas as assigned by the Party and the Government.