Celebrating the traditional day ceremony of the Vietnamese oil and gas industry (27/11/1961 - 27/11/2020):

Synchronously connecting Unit 1 of Song Hau 1 thermal power plant into the 500kV national power system

On the morning of November 26, 2020, in the construction site of Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant Project (Phu Xuan Hamlet, Mai Dam Town, Chau Thanh District, Hau Giang Province), the Client of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam), Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant Project Management Unit, successfully held the synchronous connection event of Unit 1 into the 500kV national power system.

The first successful synchronous connection of the grid is the next milestone after nearly four months of the first fire (July 28) to complete the test to put Unit 1 into commercial operation in the second quarter, 2021. The synchronous connection of Unit 1 is an important milestone in the process of building, installing and testing the systems, as well as generating electricity for the national grid. It is also a milestone to shift to the calibrating process of the combustion modes to increase capacity and optimise the operation mode of the unit. In addition, the synchronous connection proves most of the systems have been put into stable operation, ensuring the unit's safe operation as well as being ready to supply electricity to the national grid. Hoang Quoc Vuong, the Secretary of Party Committee - the Chairman of the Members' Board of Petrovietnam attended and congratulated workers at the site.

Speaking at the ceremony, Petrovietnam General Director Le Manh Hung said: "Petrovietnam highly appreciates the attitude and working spirit of Song Hau 1 Petroleum Power Project Management Unit (PMU), of Lilama Master Contractor, Doosan Company. Construction contractors, design consultants, and supervision consultants have quickly and drastically overcome many difficulties to successfully fulfil their tasks, successfully synchronously connect Unit 1 into the 500kV national power system. Particularly, the completion of the project's progress milestones has taken place in the context of general difficulties in the decline of oil prices, construction investment as well as unexpected developments of COVID-19 pandemic. This event marks an important milestone, ensuring the prerequisites for completing the plant according to the content of the Government's Resolution No. 69/ NQ-CP dated September 13th, 2019 to ensure the progress to put Unit 1 into operation in the second quarter, 2021 and Unit 2 in the third quarter, 2021”.

Petrovietnam leaders suggested that PMU, Master Contractor Lilama,  Doosan Group and the contractors continue to co-ordinate in the execution of the work and next items to synchronously connect Unit 2 into the national power system, ensuring the prerequisites to put the plant into commercial operation as soon as the set plan.

Song Hau 1 thermal power plant project is very important for the execution of the Vietnamese oil and gas industry's electricity sector development strategy. When the project comes into operation, the plant will supply electricity to the grid. The national electricity is about 7.8 billion kWh per year, contributing to the national energy security and economic development of Mekong Delta in general and Hau Giang Province in particular. Thanks to modern European equipment, Petrovietnam's determination in environmental security, Song Hau 1 thermal power plant will be put into operation in a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly manner as expected.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in oil prices, together with unprecedented difficulties and challenges which have not taken place in history, important milestones are gained on the construction progress of Song Hau 1 thermal power plant project in 2020 as the first fire of Unit 1, successfully energising the works: 500kV Song Hau - Duc Hoa transmission line - phase 1, 500kV switchgear, Song Hau Power Station and the main transformer of Song Hau 1 thermal power plant, synchronously connecting Unit 1 into the 500kV national power system today is the result of efforts to overcome difficulties, proving the maturity of Petrovietnam in the client's role in key national energy projects.

Song Hau 1 thermal power plant project is in the general planning of Song Hau Power Stations (PS) approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Decision No. 6722/QD-BCT dated December 23, 2008. The master plan was approved in Decision No. 1155/QD-BCT dated March 8, 2010, and the Decision No. 0222/QD-BCT dated January 14, 2011, and planning for the connection of power stations to the National Power System is in Decision No. 6949 / QD-BCT dated December 30, 2010.