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Environmental Studies for Two New Wind Power Projects in Vietnam Set to Begin in November

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Vietnam is one of the world’s most energy-intensive economies, consuming more energy per unit of economic production than the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. With a population close to 100 million, Vietnam’s energy demands are expected to grow by up to 9% over the next decade. With renewables booming in Vietnam, the country is attracting major investment and international development opportunities from multilateral agencies, including USAID.

ESC’s local experts are set to undertake Feasibility Studies (FSs) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIAs) for two nearshore wind farm projects in Vietnam, the Dong Thanh 1,2 in Tra Vinh Province with a total capacity of 200MW and Khai Long 1,2,3 in Ca Mau Province with a total capacity of 300MW.

The Dong Thanh wind farm will consist of a 200MW wind farm spread across approximately 3,000ha of land and nearshore sea area, and will consist of the construction of a substation, 35kV internal cable systems, access and operating roads, and other infrastructure, including a 24km/220kV transmission line, as well as the installation of 50 turbines, transformers, and transmission lines. The project is expected to be completed in August 2022, with commercial operations scheduled in September and November 2022.

The Khai Long wind farm will consist of a 300MW wind farm spread across approximately 7,235ha of land and nearshore sea area, and will consist of the construction of a substation, a 35kV internal cable system, access and operating roads, and other infrastructure, including two 110kV transmission lines, 25km each, as well as the installation of about 96 turbines, transformers, and transmission lines. Khai Long 1 construction started in July and Khai Long 2, 3 in August. Khai Long 2, 3 and is expected to be completed in January 2022. The expected commercial operation dates are November and December 2022 for Khai Long 1 and Khai Long 2, 3, respectively.

The project is scheduled to commence in November with Toby Nugent and Hoang Phong Pham as the project’s lead consultants. The scope of work will include a gap analysis to capture/confirm the projects’ gaps against applicable international standards (i.e., IFC PS and WBG EHS Guidelines) as well as agreement on required additional E&S baseline surveys. Environmental and social baseline surveys as agreed will be conducted with a focus on physical environmental conditions, particularly two seasons of baseline noise monitoring, biodiversity surveys, focusing on nearshore environment birds and bats, and a thorough field study to set up socio-economic baseline conditions of the identified affected communities.

Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and management planning will be carried out based on the projects’ design information. A final workshop will be held with stakeholders to agree on the outcomes of the impact assessment and the resultant environmental and social management plan (ESMP).

ESC will collaborate with Offshore Wind Consultants (OWC), USAID, and project sponsors to ensure that the project is delivered safely, economically, meets all quality standards and environmental requirements. ESC and OWC will provide strategic recommendations for the associated stakeholder consultation process, as part of ESIA and ESMP disclosure activities to be conducted by the Projects’ Sponsor subsequent to the ESIA development.

As Asia’s leading environment, safety, and sustainability solutions provider, ESC is pleased to partner with USAID on this project, which will help Vietnam achieve its energy goals of becoming a carbon-neutral economy and increasing the proportion of power produced from renewable sources.

Our numerous successful renewable energy projects in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong region, enable us to deliver comprehensive and purpose-fit solutions that enable us to implement the most appropriate response for our energy sector clients.