Solar power, why not!

A series of solar projects have been implemented effectively by the Southern Electricity Corporation in the island district and the local electricity shows that the direction of exploiting the energy ... this heaven is within reach.

Green energy from the sun, wind ... is becoming a trend of the world to gradually replace brown energy (diesel generators, coal-fired power generation ...). In Vietnam, despite the advantages of solar and wind power, but before we have not exploited these two endless energy sources.

EVN explores solar energy in Truong Sa - Photo: Ngoc Ha

Not to take advantage

Vietnam has the advantage of being one of the countries in the sun's most abundant distribution range of the year on the map of the world's solar radiation, especially the Central Highlands provinces, with the number Average sunshine hours 2,000 - 2,600 hours / year.

Vietnam has many conditions to develop wind power due to its long coastline, average wind speed of 6-7 m / s. According to the World Bank, the potential of wind power in Vietnam could be 500,000 megawatts, 200 times the capacity of the Son La hydropower plant.

Today, many countries in the world are developing green energy, especially solar energy. Because of this, compared to other sources of energy, solar energy is relatively stable, safe and does not pollute the environment.

Recently, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the world's largest solar power plant with a capacity of 800 megawatts (MW). oil. The project opens the door for alternative oil exports in the future as oil in the UAE is depleted. Surprisingly, the project's solar-power price is expected to be about 3 US cents per kWh.

In contrast, in Vietnam, because of the cost of developing renewable energy sources, the costs are too high and we do not have the conditions to develop.

Recently, the cost of investing in green energy has tended to decrease, opening up opportunities for Vietnam to exploit this clean energy source.

The World Conservation Union estimates that the "free energy" energy source can supply 100% of Vietnam's electricity production by 2050. In the future, if Vietnam can make good use of its power, Full use of solar and wind power, instead of coal-fired thermal power, causes many environmental problems.

Breakthrough by projects

Before the general trend of the world gradually shifted to exploiting solar energy, wind power ... to replace coal and oil thermal power, EVN has adopted the policy of the Electricity Corporation (EVN SPC) invested in solar power, wind power in island communes, where no national power grid is available, to ensure sufficient supply of electricity and create conditions for localities to develop their economy and society.

Specifically, EVN Board has agreed to invest in solar power projects in Phu Quy island district (Binh Thuan province) and Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau province).

In Con Dao district, EVN SPC is promoting its investment plan for a 1.5 MW solar power plant. According to calculations by EVN SPC, the current cost to produce 01 kWh electricity from the oil power plant costs about 6,500 VND, while the solar power is only about 4,500 VND. These costs tend to decrease as solar panels become cheaper. Therefore, solar power investments will be cheaper than oil-fired power plants. EVN SPC has successfully piloted many solar power projects in remote and island areas where there are no national electricity grids.

In the district of Phu Quy island, in July, EVN SPC directed Binh Thuan Electricity Company to implement the project "supply electricity by solar power for Phu Quy island district". The project has a capacity of 1.2 MW, which will be submitted to the leaders of the corporation for approval in September 2017.

Previously, also in Con Dao district, Trama TecnoAmbienta SL (Spain) and Ba Ria - Vung Tau Power Company deployed Con Dao solar power project in the area of ​​An Hoi power plant (Con Dao) . The project is financed by the Spanish Government of EUR 140,000. After successfully connecting to the low voltage grid of the factory, the Con Dao solar power project with the peak power of 36 kWp was officially operated from 5-12-2014. From the above results, the provincial People's Committee has agreed to invest in the project of supplying electricity with solar energy for Con Dao district in the period 2016 - 2020 in Dat Doc beach area with an area of ​​43.4 hectares.

From July to 2016, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Power Company also installed and put into operation a 140 kWp solar power system in the office building, becoming one of the pioneers of The industry applies this clean energy technology.

From July to the end of December 2016 alone, the company's solar power system generated a total output of 99,150 kWh, saving 128 million dong of electricity.

Luminaire at the office of Vinh Long Power Company

In Vinh Long, Southern Electricity Corporation has approved the investment of a solar roof project with a capacity of 60 kWp at the headquarters of Vinh Long Electricity Company, worth 3.2 billion VND. This work was completed at the end of July, saving 220 kWh per day. Each year, Vinh Long Electricity saves more than 8,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to 134 million dong.

At this point, Vinh Long Power Company will install solar power system at Vinh Long Power Company with a capacity of 170 kWp, installation cost of 9.5 billion dong. At power stations and Binh Minh town, each unit is designed capacity of 20 kWp, installation cost 1.5 billion. It is expected that when all these projects are put into use, the electricity sector in Vinh Long will save 63,240 kWh / month, equivalent to over 100 million dong; Annually, it saves 758,880 kWh, equivalent to over 1.2 billion VND.

With a series of solar projects have been implemented effectively, Southern Electricity Corporation has made a breakthrough for the conversion of exploitation of green energy, friendly with the environment.

Story: Hong Thuy - Photo: Ngoc Diep