Thai-backed $2.3 bln thermopower project canceled in central Vietnam

Authorities in Quang Tri have informed EGATi of the Vietnamese province’s decision to terminate the Thai electricity firm’s 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power project.

Quang Tri Vice Chairman Ha Sy Dong chaired an online meeting with EGATi on Tuesday to announce the decision, following the Thai company’s statement last October that it would abandon the project.

The abandoned project was already included in Vietnam's draft power development plan VIII, or PDP VIII.

Dong told EGAT International, or EGATi, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, that it needs to rapidly finalize with Quang Tri about measures to solve related issues like site clearance for the project and relocation of local residents; and then send its official notices to Vietnam's government and Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The site clearance has been completed, while a new residential area for those affected has been built.

EGATi called off its proposed coal-fired project last October because of a lack of funding and Vietnam’s carbon-neutral target by 2050.

After that, Quang Tri’s administration sent a proposal to the Prime Minister and the ministry, saying the central province expects the project would be shifted to natural gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG) instead of coal, and the provincial administration would search for potential investors.