Gulf Group Launches Solar Projects in Vietnam

TTC No. 01 and No. 02 Solar Power Plants in Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Zone, An Hoi Hamlet, An Hoa commune, Trang Bang District, Tay Ninh province, Vietnam

This concerns domestic energy segment when the context of coal, petroleum and hydropower resources has been fully exploited for a long time. Together with the trend of environmental protection, developing green - clean energy sources globally, renewable energy is considered an inevitable solution for the future.

On 19th June 2019, Gulf Group held the inauguration ceremony of TTC No. 01 and TTC No. 02 Solar Power Plants in Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Zone, An Hoi hamlet, An Hoa commune, Trang Bang district, Tay Ninh province, Vietnam, 57.1 km from Tay Ninh City and 48.3 km from Ho Chi Minh City.

Accordingly, TTC Solar Power Project No. 01 was built on an area of 69.5 hectares, of which the area for installing solar PV panels is 42.53 hectares, having a capacity of 68.8 MWp. The project officially started the construction of ground leveling on May 25th, 2018 with total investment of approximately USD 65 million. Due to the effective support from managements, staffs and contractors, after just 10 months of construction, the project was put into operation on March 6th, 2019.

The plant provides the national electricity system with an electricity output of about 106 million kWh per year, meeting the demand for equivalent electricity use of about 87,347 households, reducing emissions to CO2 environment by about 85.45 tons per year, the total number of installed panels is 208,500 panels, each solar panel's capacity is 330 W.

Next to it, TTC Solar Power Project No. 02 was built on an area of 50.06 hectares, of which the area for installing PV panels is 39.22 hectares, having a capacity of 50 MWp. The project officially started the construction of ground leveling on August 10th, 2018 with total investment of approximately USD 50 million. After only 8 months of continuous work, the project was put into commercial operation on April 19th, 2019.

The plant provides the national electricity system with the output of about 78 million kWh/year, meeting the electricity demand of about 63,669 households, reducing CO2 emissions to environment by 62.29 tons/year, the total number of installed panels is 151,500 panels, each panel’s capacity is 330 W.

The ribbon cutting to inaugurate TTC No. 01 and No. 02 Solar Power Plants

In order to achieve the target, Gulf Group have selected competent and highly experienced contractors in the field of renewable energy. Specifically, JGC Vietnam Co., Ltd. is selected as the EPC Contractor, Artelia Vietnam Co., Ltd., and Thanh Thanh Cong Investment JSC are construction supervision consultants. TTC No. 1 has an additional contractor for 110 kV transmission line constuction which is Hoang Viet Hung Ltd Company.

At the ceremony, Gulf Group stated: "Gulf expects to contribute, to engage in environmental protection, climate change, energy conservation and construct green energy sources - especially in Vietnam. We want to maintain continuous growth in Vietnam because the country is one of the fastest-growing economy in Asia and the demand for energy is forecasted to increase at a high rate. We always focus on developing synchronous forms of energy, especially renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, thereby improving the value chain of production and business activities, strengthening national energy security. Therefore, the official inauguration of these two projects will contribute to minimize the negative impact to the fullest extent possible”.

Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi - Director and CEO of Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited, affirms that Gulf always focuses on developing synchronous forms of energy, especially renewable and environment-friendly ones.

The representative also said, "Gulf Group is pleased to be a joint venture partner to deploy these two solar power plants in Vietnam. As a co-investor, we undertake technical site monitoring and solar project management. There are Gulf’s staffs rotated from the headquarter in Thailand to work full-time in Vietnam in order to maintain constant workflow and ensure the standard of quality control in construction phase and operation phase. At the same time, based on the practical experience of implementing successful projects, we are committed to use the best resources to operate the two plants safely and effectively, and as a premise for long-term cooperation.”

“Our success today is driven by our people and commitment to achieving results – by using state-of-the art technology to maximize power efficiency, responsible operating standards, and securing new opportunities for profitable growth. We aim to create and develop high-value resource opportunities by aligning our business strategies through disciplined operational excellence, capital stewardship and cost efficiency. In addition, we plan to grow earnings across the value chain and make targeted investments to lead the industry in returns”, he said.

Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited is a holding company with a portfolio of electricity, steam and chilled water generating projects and other related businesses. Moreover, Gulf also provide management services to power projects within the group from the development and construction stage to the management stage after commencement of commercial operation.

Gulf are working towards providing energy efficiency solutions and developing energy resources of the future, including biofuels and other renewables.

Gulf is currently one of Thailand’s largest private power producers, and is expanding internationally. Gulf has 21 power projects in operation, including 2 gas-fired IPPs, 15 gas-fired SPPs (Cogen) and 4 rooftop solar VSPPs, and has 7 power projects under construction and development, including 2 gas-fired IPPs, 4 gas-fired SPPs (Cogen) and 1 biomass SPP, in Thailand.

Apart from the 2 aforementioned solar projects with TTC, Gulf has other oversea projects including 3 projects under construction and development (1 captive power plant in Oman, 1 solar and 1 off-shore wind project also in Vietnam).

As of December 31, 2018, the total installed capacity of the Group’s power projects - including those that have achieved commercial operation and those under development scheduled for completion by 2024 – is 11,910.4 megawatts, with an equity installed capacity of 6,877.8 megawatts.

In the signed agreement, Gulf Group are planning to develop another wind power project (310 MW) and another solar power project (30 MW) with TTC Group in Ben Tre province (Vietnam).

Thus, by opening the TTC No. 01 and TTC No. 02 Solar Power Plants, Gulf Group expect to contribute jobs for local workers, thereby enhancing electricity supply security, continuing to contribute to the Green - Clean energy campaign which is being strongly responded by countries all over the world.

HONG QUAN