Central Vietnam $1.7 bln thermal power plant to begin operations in 2026

The Quang Trach I thermal power plant in Quang Binh province is expected to undergo a test run in September 2025 and become operational the next year.

The information was revealed by the Power Project Management Board 2 (PPMB 2) under state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) during a recent inspection of projects at the Quang Trach Power Complex by chief of the central province’s Party Committee Vu Dai Thang.

The board said that the project was about 40% complete at present and that its main packages were being implemented on schedule.

Infrastructure packages involving electricity supply systems, drainage channels and fences for the plant have basically been completed, the board said.

All prefabricated components for the plant’s coal import port have been finished and work on the breakwater part is around 63% complete.

The project consultant was finalizing necessary documents to submit to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for appraisal and the technical design for the project’s second phase has been approved by investor EVN.

The board also mentioned some problems facing the Quang Trach I project including site clearance, landfill planning, the building of anchorage areas for ships and resettlement areas for affected households.

The provincial Party chief said the plant was a key project of the province, so the provincial People’s Committee should direct relevant departments, agencies and Quang Trach district to speed up site clearance and construction of resettlement and ship anchorage areas.

“Provincial authorities will always stand by the investor to complete the project on schedule,” he said.

The Quang Trach I thermal power plant project covers about 48.6 hectares in Vinh Son village, Quang Dong commune, Quang Trach district.

The project was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 428 dated March 18, 2016 on adjustments to the National Power Development Plan for the 2011-2020 period, with a vision to 2030 (adjusted PDP VII).

It consists of two turbines with a total installed capacity of 1,200 megawatts, with a total investment of VND41.13 trillion ($1.71 billion), 30% of which is EVN’s contribution. Once put into operation, the plant will add about 8.4 billion kWh to the national grid per year.

In June 2021, EVN signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with a consortium comprising Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction (Hyundai E&C), and Vietnam’s Construction Corporation No.1 (CC1).

Meanwhile, another project at the complex, the Quang Trach II thermal power plant under the newly approved Power Development Plan VIII will be converted from a coal-fired plant to a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered one, the board said.

The conversion was approved by the government in February 2021, with EVN as developer. Work on the project is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026 and be completed in 2030.

Six coal-fired power plants under the PDP VIII are under construction: Na Duong 1, An Khanh-Bac Giang, Vung Ang II, Quang Trach I, Van Phong I and Long Phu I. Van Phong I is the largest of these with a capacity of 1,432 MW.