Sustainable energy development

Energy development is identified by Thai Nguyen as a strategic orientation, aiming to ensure safe and stable electricity supply for industry, urban areas and people's lives, while effectively exploiting renewable energy sources, towards the goal of green growth. After 5 years of implementing Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW dated February 11, 2020 of the Politburo, these goals have been gradually concretized, in accordance with the socio-economic development practices of the province.

An Khanh Thermal Power Plant contributes to ensuring a stable power source for industrial and urban development in the province. Photo: Document

Energy management one step ahead

Currently, Thai Nguyen is supplied with electricity from 5 220kV transformer stations, including: Thai Nguyen, Luu Xa, Phu Binh, Phu Binh 2 and Bac Kan , with a total capacity of 2,375MW, along with 11 220kV lines about 330km long. In addition, the province also receives additional power from the 220kV Soc Son station (3x250 MVA), thereby forming a synchronous interconnection system, improving the reliability of power supply for the region.

Along with the transmission system, Thai Nguyen currently has 7 small hydropower plants (Ta Lang, Thuong An, Nam Cat, Thac Gieng 1, Pac Cap, Khuoi Thoc, Nui Coc lake) with a total capacity of 26.49 MW and 2 large thermal power plants, Cao Ngan and An Khanh, with a total capacity of 230 MW.

In particular, An Khanh I Thermal Power Plant plays a prominent role. With a capacity of 120MW from 2 units, this is the first large-capacity thermal power plant invested by the private sector in Vietnam. This project not only contributes to ensuring a stable power source for industrial zones and areas in the province, but also serves as an important link in the regional power grid.

Thai Nguyen Electricity Company always strives to serve and meet the increasing demand for electricity of customers.

The highlight of state management is to promptly advise and remove obstacles for projects, from appraisal and licensing of electricity operations to pre-feasibility survey documents for solar power and hydropower.

In addition, the province focuses on surveying and developing plans for rural electricity supply, aiming at the goal of no longer having villages and hamlets that have not yet used the national grid. This is an important step to narrow the development gap between urban and rural areas, ensuring electricity to every remote village, serving people's lives.

Comrade Pham Van Tho, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, emphasized: Electricity not only serves people's lives but is also a key factor promoting industrial development. Implementing Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW of the Politburo , the province determined that energy management must be one step ahead, to ensure safe, stable and sustainable electricity supply for both industrial zones and rural areas.

Removing obstacles and promoting project progress

According to statistics, the province currently has 28 grid and power source projects under implementation, including 21 transmission projects from 110kV to 500kV and 7 hydropower projects. Of these, 4 projects have been completed with a total investment of 850.3 billion VND, contributing to strengthening the transmission system and ensuring stable power supply. This is a positive first step, creating more energy infrastructure capacity to serve industrial development and improve people's lives.

Nam Cat 2 Hydropower Plant is being rushed to completion, promising to supplement the local power source.

One of the notable projects is the Nam Cat 2 hydropower plant invested by Hydropower Joint Stock Company 69, located in Duong Quang and Dong Phuc communes, with a total investment of nearly 170 billion VND. The project has an installed capacity of 5MW, an average electricity output of 15.23 million kWh/year, including a reservoir, a factory with 2 generators, a 35kV transformer station and more than 4.5km of power lines connecting to the 110kV Cho Don grid. Currently, the enterprise is focusing on construction to soon put the factory into operation, supplementing clean electricity sources for the locality.

However, the province still has 24 projects with a total capital of more than 7,810 billion VND under construction, requiring more drastic intervention in removing obstacles to ensure progress. Faced with difficulties in site clearance, capital and procedures, the province has applied the "one-stop" mechanism, enhancing coordination between departments, branches and localities. Thanks to that, many obstacles have been removed, creating conditions for investors to speed up progress.

In addition to the projects being implemented, the province currently has 17 other projects being researched and calling for investment. This is considered an important resource for the coming period, in line with the trend of developing renewable energy, reducing emissions and using energy efficiently.

110kV Na Phac transformer station has a capacity of 25MVA with nearly 15km of connecting lines.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tiep, representative of Thien Long Wind Power Joint Stock Company, said: Thai Nguyen has geographical advantages, fast-growing industry, so the demand for electricity is always high. The synchronous investment in power grid projects not only meets the demand in the province but also increases the ability to connect to the national grid.

Currently, Thien Long Wind Power Joint Stock Company has been approved to survey 858MW of wind power in the Northern Thai Nguyen area, is installing wind measuring columns to assess the potential in detail and coordinate with relevant agencies to implement the project.

Linking energy management with Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW has helped Thai Nguyen build a systematic development roadmap, ensuring both a stable power source in the short term and a foundation for a long-term strategy. In the coming time, the province will prioritize completing transmission infrastructure, putting key projects into operation on schedule, and expanding investment in renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

The combination of modern infrastructure, effective management mechanisms and the pioneering role of enterprises is creating a solid foundation for Thai Nguyen to affirm its position as a sustainable energy center of the Northern midland and mountainous region, while making a practical contribution to the country's green growth target.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202509/phat-trien-nang-luong-ben-vung-2f81611/