The Prime Minister agreed not to deploy Quynh Lap I, II coal-fired thermal power plants in Nghe An.

According to the planning and orientation of national electricity development, the types of electricity sources will be developed synchronously and diversified, with a reasonable structure to ensure energy security, enhance the autonomy of the electricity industry, and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

Location of Quynh Lap 1 Thermal Power Plant and Quynh Lap 2 Thermal Power Plant in Dong Hoi Industrial Park, Hoang Mai Town (Nghe An) in Power Plan VII. Photo: PV

Continue to promote the development of renewable energy sources (hydropower, onshore and offshore wind power, solar, biomass...), new energy, clean energy (hydrogen, green ammonia...) suitable to the ability to ensure system safety with reasonable electricity prices, especially self-produced and self-consumed power sources, rooftop solar power.

Exploit and effectively use domestic fossil energy sources combined with imports: Gradually reduce the proportion of coal-fired thermal power, prioritize the development of domestic gas-fired power, develop imported LNG gas power sources with appropriate scale. Implement energy transition closely following the trend of technology development and prices in the world.

Develop balanced power sources by region, aiming at balancing supply and demand within the region. Arrange power sources reasonably in localities within the region, aiming at effectively exploiting power sources, ensuring reliable local power supply, reducing technical losses, and reducing long-distance power transmission.

Develop new power sources with modern technology along with technological innovation of operating plants. Move towards stopping operations of plants that do not meet environmental standards.

Diversify investment forms in power source development to increase competition and improve economic efficiency.

In the power source development plan, for coal-fired thermal power, the Plan determines to continue implementing only projects that are included in the adjusted Power Plan VII and are being invested in construction until 2030. Orientation to implement fuel conversion to biomass and ammonia for plants that have been in operation for 20 years when the cost is suitable. Stop operating plants with a lifespan of over 40 years if fuel conversion is not possible.

By 2030, the total capacity of operating plants and projects under construction is expected to be completed and put into operation at about 30,127 MW. Urgently complete 6 projects/6,125 MW under construction: Na Duong II, An Khanh - Bac Giang, Vung Ang II, Quang Trach I, Van Phong I, Long Phu I.Not deployed13,220 MW of coal-fired thermal power: Quang Ninh III, Cam Pha III, Hai Phong III,Quynh Lap I, II,Vung Ang III, Quang Trach II, Long Phu II, III, Tan Phuoc I, II. Convert Quang Trach II Project to use LNG before 2030.

Instead, in the List and progress of important power source and grid projects, the investment priority of the Electricity industry will consider in the Plan to implement the Planning of potential locations in the Quynh Lap - Nghe An, Nghi Son - Thanh Hoa areas to build the Quynh Lap/Nghi Son LNG Gas Power Plant in the period of 2021 - 2030 with a capacity of 1,500 MW.

Quynh Lap Power Center, Hoang Mai town has an area of ​​about 283 hectares, belonging to the planning of Dong Hoi Industrial Park, Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone. The total capacity of the project is 2,400 MW including 4 units, divided into 2 phases: Quynh Lap I Thermal Power Plant and Quynh Lap II Thermal Power Plant (scale 2x600 MW/plant) approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Decision No. 1359/QD-BCT dated March 20, 2009.

Both plants were approved by the Prime Minister under the National Power Plan for the period 2011 - 2020 to 2030 (Power Plan VII). Phase 1 was assigned to the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV Group) as the investor, with a total registered capital of about 2.2 billion USD. According to the initial plan, the plant was scheduled to be put into operation in 2020. On October 1, 2015, the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group and the Provincial People's Committee held the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Quynh Lap I Thermal Power Plant Project in Quynh Lap Commune, Hoang Mai Town. However, the project has not been implemented since then.

At the regular meeting in November 2020, the Standing Committee of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee unanimously proposed that the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Industry and Trade stop the implementation of the Quynh Lap Thermal Power Center (including Quynh Lap I Thermal Power Plant and Quynh Lap II Thermal Power Plant) and remove it from the Power Plan VIII. The province issued Document No. 975/UBND-CN dated December 8, 2021 requesting the Government to allow the conversion of the Quynh Lap I and II coal-fired thermal power projects into LNG power projects.