Quality, capacity hamper wind farms in Gia Lai
Five completed wind power projects in Gia Lai cannot start commercial operations due to some quality issues and lower-than-expected electricity transmission capacity in the Central Highland province.
The five projects are Ia Pech 2, Song An, Yang Trung, with two belonging to wind power development company Chu Prong Gia Lai.
Both Chu Prong Gia Lai projects are hampered by a dysfunctional 110kV transmission line and transformer station.
Meanwhile, the Ia Pech project registered for commercial operations with 12 turbines, but only five turbines were qualified in testing, according to the Gia Lai Department of Industry and Trade. Projects Ia Pech 2 (two turbines), Song An (five turbines), and Yang Trung (one turbine) have registered for commercial operations but all failed when tested.
A wind power project in Gia Lai province, Central Highlands is completed but has not been put into operation. Photo by The Investor/Ngoc Tan.
A recent report from the department said 11 out of 16 wind power projects in the province have to date started commercial operations with a total capacity of 563 megawatts installed, or 47% of the total designed figure.
Pham Van Binh, director of the department, said that projects completed after October 31, 2021 - the deadline for Vietnam’s feed-in tariff (FIT) mechanism - cannot operate because they have not been approved. He added the Ministry of Industry and Trade has not issued a new pricing scheme for selling and buying electricity, making them unable to switch on.
A project investor who asked not to be named told The Investor, "It is very difficult for investors in this situation as they have to bear financial pressure and capital costs while the projects are unable to operate. We expect the ministry will soon announce the new pricing mechanism to solve our problems and save national resources."
Apart from Gia Lai, other wind power projects across the country are waiting for a commercial operation day (COD). According to Ministry of Industry and Trade statistics, as of October 31, 2021, there were only 69 wind power projects with a total capacity of 3,298.95 MW recognized with COD nationwide. Compared to 106 projects with a total capacity of 5,655.5 MW registered, about 2,300 MW are missing.
Of this, about 1,000 MW of wind power has completed investment but failed to enjoy the FIT and is still waiting for a new pricing mechanism.
- Related News
- Read More
Petrovietnam affirms plan to build eco-energy and industrial center in southern Vietnam
Petrovietnam plans to develop an eco-energy and industrial center project in Can Tho city, the "heart" of the Mekong Delta, its representatives stated on Monday.
Energy - Wed, September 17, 2025 | 11:49 am GMT+7
Thailand - one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets for AI
Thailand has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence (AI), with OpenAI reporting that weekly active users of ChatGPT in the country have quadrupled over the past year.
Southeast Asia - Wed, September 17, 2025 | 10:40 am GMT+7
MoMo co-founder urges single fintech regulator, faster sandbox in Vietnam
Vietnam should establish a single regulatory focal point and adopt a more flexible sandbox regime to accelerate fintech innovation, said Nguyen Ba Diep, co-founder of e-wallet giant MoMo.
Finance - Wed, September 17, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Indonesia to end incentives for imported CBU BEVs in 2026
The Indonesian government has confirmed that it will stop providing incentives for imported completely built-up (CBU) battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from 2026.
Southeast Asia - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:44 pm GMT+7
Aquatic sector advised to navigate challenges, secure exports to EU, US
Despite positive production signals with growth in 2025 projected at 4.25%, Vietnam's aquatic sector is facing mounting export pressures, particularly strict technical barriers in major markets such as the EU and the U.S.
Companies - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:41 pm GMT+7
Vietnam pledges favorable conditions for UK businesses
Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang has affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to improving its investment environment and creating favourable conditions for foreign enterprises, including those from the UK.
Companies - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:29 pm GMT+7
Lotte Shopping plans to open more shopping malls in Vietnam
South Korean retail giant Lotte Shopping has unveiled plans to open an additional two to three large-scale shopping malls in major Vietnamese cities by 2030, underscoring the country’s growing role in the group’s international expansion strategy.
Companies - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:25 pm GMT+7
Vietnam ratifies WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Vietnam officially deposited its instrument of ratification of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies at the WTO General Council’s special session in Switzerland on Monday.
Companies - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:21 pm GMT+7
What makes NobleGo - Vietnam’s first home-bidding livestream platform - so notable?
NobleGo – Vietnam’s pioneering AI-powered livestream real estate bidding platform developed by Sunshine Group – has completed its first 20 livestream sessions.
Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 4:53 pm GMT+7
Japanese retailer Aeon to debut another northern Vietnam shopping mall by end-2026
Japanese-backed Aeonmall Vietnam is ramping up construction on its Aeon Mall Ha Long project in Quang Ninh province, home to Ha Long Bay, with an aim to open it to the public by end-2026.
Industries - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7
Hanoi terminates Vinaxuki auto plant project, repurposes land for commercial complex
A long-stalled automotive manufacturing project by Xuan Kien Auto JSC (Vinaxuki) has been officially terminated by Hanoi authorities, and the reclaimed land in Phuc Thinh commune will be repurposed for a new commercial and service complex.
Industries - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 2:44 pm GMT+7
Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout
Authorities in the central province of Quang Tri are evaluating a proposal from Power Generation JSC 1 (EVNGENCO 1), a subsidiary of state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to take over the Quang Tri thermal power plant project, following the withdrawal of Thai investor EGATi.
Energy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 1:44 pm GMT+7
Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers
Amata VN, the Vietnam arm of Thailand’s leading industrial park developer Amata, has approved a plan for its subsidiary Amata City Long Thanh Urban JSC (ACLT) to sell its remaining 51% stakes in two entities to local developer Novaland-linked buyers.
Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 12:19 pm GMT+7
Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister
Vietnam has fulfilled the criteria for a stock market status upgrade by FTSE Russell through reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment inflows into its market, said Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang.
Economy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:36 am GMT+7
Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry
The Ministry of Finance is proposing a key reform that would allow commercial banks to invest in and distribute mutual fund certificates, as part of a broader plan to restructure the investor base and foster the development of Vietnam’s fund management industry.
Finance - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth
Vietnam's paper packaging industry is entering a period of strong growth, with an average annual growth rate forecasted at 10% until 2030.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7
