Northern Vietnam province fines China's JA Solar for illegal construction

Vietnam’s northern province of Bac Giang has issued a fine of VND130 million ($5,107) to JA Solar Ne Vietnam for constructing a factory without permits.

In a document issued Monday and signed by municipal Vice Chairman Le O Pich, Bac Giang People’s Committee pointed out JA Solar Ne Vietnam is the investor of China-headquartered JA Solar’s project to build a facility for manufacturing silicon bars, silicon wafers, and high-performance photovoltaic (PV) cells.

In particular, the firm is building a PV cells manufacturing facility, wastewater treatment facility, nitrous oxide and ammonia terminal, and other facilities without construction licenses.

In addition to the fine, JA Solar Ne Vietnam must complete the applications for the construction licenses in 90 days from May 13, according to the document. If the firm fails to follow the requests, it will have to demolish the construction itself, Bac Giang authorities noted.

JA Solar started investing in Vietnam in 2016 and has so far poured $967 million into three projects in Bac Giang province. In November 2023, JA Solar received approval to invest an additional $378 million in an ongoing project in Bac Giang, also its latest investment.

The Bac Giang Industrial Zones Authority said the registered capital will be added to JA Solar’s project to manufacture silicon panels, silicon bars, and high-performance solar cells. The project is located in the Viet Han Industrial Park, Viet Yen district, covering 21.9 hectares.

JA Solar’s other investments in Bac Giang province are located in the Quang Chau Industrial Park, covering 88 hectares, with about 3,000 employees manufacturing solar energy batteries and modules.

JA Solar, among the biggest solar energy cell firms in the world, earned revenue of $2.8 billion from its activities in Vietnam in 2023, and expects to double that figure in 2024, JA Solar reported in January.