Workers at the Krong Pa Solar Power plant (Photo: baogialai.com.vn) Gia Lai (VNS/VNA)- Krong Pa district in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai is considereda good area for solar power projects as the temperatures can rise to 40oC.
Solar power plant workersare now putting the finishing touches on a number of solar power plants thatwill connect to the national power grid this month.
The 49MW plant with 209,100solar panels is built on an area of 70.2ha at a cost of 1.4 trillion VND (60million USD).
Begun in March 2017, theproject is expected to produce 103kWh and earn 200 billion VND (8.5 million USD)per year after being put into operation.
To Van Chanh, Chairman ofthe provincial People’s Committee, was quoted by local newspapers as sayingthat the project would play an important role in socio-economic development andsolve the employment problem in the district.
The 1,624sq.km area of KrongPa district has the highest number of sunlight hours in Gia Lai province, with1,700 hours per year.
The standard used to builda solar power plant is 1,500 sunlight hours per year.
Ta Chi Khanh, Vice Chairmanof Krong Pa district’s People’s Committee, said that 17 investors were doingfield research for solar power projects in 19 locations in the province.
According to the provincialDepartment of Planning and Investment, the province has allowed 23 investors toinvest in 33 solar power projects with total capacity of 4,000MWp.
The 33 projects include twoprojects that have received approval from the provincial authority with thetotal capacity of 98MWp, 11 projects with the capacity of 675MWp that have beensubmitted to authorities for approval, and 20 projects with the total capitalof 3,195MWp that are still being evaluated.
In addition, 12 investorsare now looking at possible locations for another 17 solar projects with totalcapacity of 1,330MWp.
However, households thatwill be forced to move are asking for compensation of 600 million VND perhectare, much higher than the market price of 200 million VND per hectare.
The province is trying tosolve the problem of site clearance and compensation, and ensure accommodationsand employment for these households.
In recent years, theauthority has reduced the unemployment rate in the province.
Ksor Doi, an ethnic Jraisand an installation technician, told a local newspaper that he was trained fromtheory to practice on how to install solar panels in accordance with standards.With such training, he will be able to work for the upcoming solar projects.
Bui Thi Quy, chairwoman ofVan Phat Green Energy Co, Ltd, said the provincial People’s Committee hadallowed the company to invest in a solar power plant in Chu Ngoc commune in KrongPa district.
The company has committedto pay compensation and create jobs for ethnic minorities.
Solar power is a greenenergy source which the Government is promoting and supporting.
When the solar plants beginoperating, they will create a cooler sub-climate in the area due to the heatabsorption of solar panels. This will help the province reduce greenhouse gasesand improve the environment.-VNS/VNA
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