A wind farm in Bình Thuận. Under the contract, PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) and Fugro Singapore Ltd are engaged as sub-contractors to collect soil and rock samples deep under the seabed. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

HÀ NỘI — La Gàn Wind Power Development Corporation  signed an offshore geological survey contract of undisclosed value with Vietsovpetro, a company part-owned by PetroVietnam.

The deal is reportedly worth several million US dollars.

The Danish company is the developer of the 3.5GW La Gàn Offshore Wind Power Project owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Asiapetro and Novasia.

Under the La Gàn Geotechnical Survey Campaign Contract, Vietsovpetro will engage PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) and Fugro Singapore Ltd as sub-contractors to collect soil and rock samples deep under the seabed.

The samples will be tested in laboratories and used to build models of the seabed under the wind farm area. These models are essential for designing the offshore foundation structures and subsea cables of the La Gàn offshore wind farm.

“With the signing today, the investors of La Gàn Offshore Wind Project reaffirm their commitment to move the project steadily forward despite the difficulties and challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic,” said Ambassador of Denmark in Việt Nam, Kim Christensen, at the virtual signing ceremony.

“As the Government of Việt Nam is on its way to finalise the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP 8) and establish a relevant legal framework for offshore wind power projects, it is crucial that the authorities create an enabling environment for foreign investors, especially those who have a proven track record in the offshore wind power industry and serious determination to progress their projects.”

Since the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Bình Thuận People’s Committee in July last year, the project has progressed. With an estimated capital expenditure of up to US$10 billion and a capacity of 3.5GW, the project is one of the first large scale offshore wind projects in Việt Nam.

According to an economic impact study made by international experts from BVG Associates (World Bank consultants), the project will contribute more than $4.4 billion to the Vietnamese economy over the project lifetime.

Once fully installed, the project is predicted to power more than 7 million households per year and avoid 130 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime. — VNS