Dutch firm Pondera sees nearshore, offshore wind power potential in central Vietnam

Netherlands-based energy firm Pondera has expressed interest in building a wind farm in the coastal province of Quang Binh, saying it sees both nearshore and offshore potential.

Eric Arends, director and vice chairman of Pondera, met with Quang Binh authorities Wednesday to discuss possibilities for the project.

Arends said his company has made a preliminary analysis of Quang Binh’s potential and advantages in nearshore and offshore wind power generation.

He introduced to the provincial administration some major wind power projects that Pondera has implemented in the Netherlands and other European countries.

Tran Hai Chau, chairman of the provincial People’s Council, said wind power development has been prioritized by the government in the country's transition to clean energy.

"For Quang Binh, developing renewable and clean energy is also an important task. The province is providing favorable conditions for investors to conduct surveys," he said.

Pondera has conducted surveys for wind power projects in some other localities like Thai Binh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Bac Giang provinces.

In Thai Binh, Pondera has proposed a 700 MW wind power project in the sea area of Tien Hai and Thai Thuy districts. It is also eyeing to develop a hi-tech agricultural project in the northern province, with Dutch flowers as major products.

Quang Binh currently hosts just one operational wind farm with a capacity of 252 megawatts. The VND8.1 trillion ($330 million) project began commercial operations in October 2021.

The province has allowed investors to conduct studies for 25 wind power projects with a combined capacity of 6,000 MW. These include one offshore and five nearshore projects.

Under the country's latest draft power development plan (PDP VIII) for the 2021-2030 period, with vision to 2045, renewable energy (excluding hydropower, including solar, wind and biomass power) will account for 18-27% (21,871-39,486 MW) of the total capacity of power plants by 2030. By 2050, the figure will be 54.9-58.9%.