Vinh Tan 1 plant asked to halt pilot run of environment facilities

In a document sent to related departments, agencies and the Vinh Tan 1 power company on July 25, the committee explained that the company has not informed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and the People’s Committee of Vinh Tan commune, Tuy Phong district, of the plan on the test run of the plant’s second turbine as required in Clause 4, Article 10 of Circular 27/2015/TT-BTNMT. 

Vinh Tan 1 Power Company Limited was asked to collect, classify and store harmful waste in line with the MoNRE’s Circular No. 36/2015-TT-BTNMT, and identify components and properties of insulating materials used by the company. 

The committee said the first turbine of the project should be put into official operation only after getting necessary certificates granted by the MoNRE as well as approval of its projects on ash and cinder treatment, and completing facilities to store dangerous waste.

The committee also requested the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Tuy Phong district People’s Committee and the Working Group 1072 to continue to keep a close watch on the observance of legal regulations on environmental protection of projects at the Vinh Tan Electricity Centre, including the Vinh Tan 1 Thermal Power Plant. 

The 1,240MW Vinh Tan 1 is the first thermal power plant in Vietnam to apply the pulverised coal combustion technology. It will play an important role in supplying power to the country’s southern part as there have been delays in the implementation of the Song Hau 1 and Long Phu 1 thermal power projects.

Vinh Tan 1 is expected to generate more than 7.2 billion kWh of electricity per year, increasing the southern region’s electricity supply capacity and helping reduce its dependence on hydropower, especially in the dry season or during droughts.