Gành Hào sea gate. Cà Mau Province wants to become the energy centre of the Mekong Delta by 2030. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Thế Anh

CÀ MAU — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Cà Mau targets becoming the energy centre of the delta region by 2030.

The province seeks to raise total electricity generation capacity of local power plants of all kinds to 4,000MW by 2030, including 1,000MW of renewable power, and to 5,000MW by 2045.

It plans to invest in new gas-storage facilities, gas filling and supply stations, floating storages, gas recycling stations and gas pipelines. It would import and store about 7 million cubic metres of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year from 2030 and 10 million cubic metres from 2045.

Investment in electricity generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure will also be required.

Programmes on efficient energy use and reduction of power losses will continue. The province targets saving at least 7 per cent of total energy consumption each year by 2030, and 14 per cent by 2045.

Investment priorities will be for wind, solar, gas and thermal power.

The province is calling for investment in gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired power plants, which will help meet electricity demand and supply of petroleum products in the province and neighbouring provinces.

It will also build Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) systems to ensure the supply of imported LNG to power plants in the province and the region.

Renewable energy

Experts have urged to speed up the construction of wind and solar power projects in the province.

The province is developing specific policies to encourage investment in power plants that use urban waste, biomass and solid waste to generate electricity.

It is giving priority to production of renewable energy such as wind and solar power, and will invest in studying and evaluating the potential for development of new renewable sources.

Rooftop solar power projects, and projects combining aquaculture and solar power systems on water surface or in coastal areas are also being encouraged.

The province will offer support to help investors develop offshore wind power projects, which is in line with the province's tourism and marine economic development strategy.

Investment will also be sought for LNG projects with floating storage systems at sea, and power projects using rice straw, urban waste, biomass and solid waste.

The province is encouraging the private sector to take part in energy development, train high-quality human resources for the energy sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the use of clean and renewable energy.

The southernmost province of Cà Mau has a coastline of more than 250km. — VNS