Construction of $2.3 bln central Vietnam LNG power plant to restart in 2026

Construction of the 1,500-MW Hai Lang Power Center project in Quang Tri province will restart on January 1, 2026, the project investor has informed local authorities.

The $2.3 billion project’s investor is a consortium comprising South Korea's Hanwha Energy, Korea Gas (Kogas) and Korea Southern Power (Kospo); and Vietnam’s T&T Group.

The project held a groundbreaking ceremony for its technical component in January 2022, but little progress had been made since.

According to the latest update from the investor, the project is set to complete its feasibility study (FS) report in November 2024, complete administrative procedures and site clearance by December 2025, kick off construction in January 2026, and complete it by April 2029.

It will also complete an LNG bidding process in December 2026, and begin official operation in December 2029.

At a Thursday meeting, the investor asked provincial authorities to help address challenges including fire prevention design, application to connect to the national grid, seaport use, approval of environmental impact report, and updates to the 1-to-500-ratio masterplan.

Welcoming the resumption, Quang Tri Vice Chairman Ha Sy Dong suggested that the project investor establish a representative office in the province to speed up progress.

He also asked relevant agencies to help resolve issues. The provincial Department of Industry and Trade, for instance, was asked to check the option of separating the grid connection from the power plant.

Dong also asked the provincial Department of Construction to work with the Ministry of Construction and the Government Office to approve updates to the Dong Nam Economic Zone, where the project is located.