WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Economy / Industry
Vietnam okays US$5B LNG-to-power project in balancing trade with US
Linh Pham 13:53, 2019/10/04
AES Corporation will develop Son My 2 complex in Vietnam`s central province of Binh Thuan under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) form.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed in principle to US-based AES Corporation's plan to invest in a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled power complex costing more than US$5 billion as part of efforts to balance the bilateral trade, local media reported. 
 
Vietnamese Minister Tran Tuan Anh of Industry and Trade hands over license to AES Corporation. Photo: MOIT
Vietnamese Minister Tran Tuan Anh of Industry and Trade hands over in-principle approval to AES Corporation. Photo: MOIT

The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) informed the move after a visit to Washington by Minister Tran Tuan Anh wrapped up on October 2. 

Once put into operation, the Son My 2 project in the central province of Binh Thuan is estimated to consume an amount of LNG worth US$2 billion a year to be imported from the US, the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reported.

AES Corporation will develop Son My 2 complex under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) form. It will be the first LNG-to-power plant in Vietnam.

Virginia-based AES is running 1,200-MW Coal-fired Mong Duong 2 Power Plant in Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh in partnership with South Korea’s Posco Energy and China Investment Corporation.

Energy cooperation ahead 

 
Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and the US Department of State sign an MOU on energy. Photo: MOIT
Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and the US Department of State sign an MOU on energy. Photo: MOIT

During the visit from September 28 to October 2, the MOIT and the US Department of State signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on comprehensive energy cooperation which sets up mechanism for future cooperation for sustainable energy development in Vietnam, facilitating specific partnership of the two countries’ companies.

The MOU opens an era for comprehensive cooperation in power sector regardless of LNG, oil and gas, coal, and renewables. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Washington, Minister Tran Tuan Anh said the move aims to set up common goals and solutions for the mutual interests between the two countries, mostly US firms in the context that Vietnam’s power demand growth hits 10-11% annually. 

Vietnam considers the US one of its leading trade partners for not only growing two-way trade but also advanced and environment-friendly technologies in the course that Vietnam will increase the import of LNG in the future, the minister noted. 

Francis R. Fannon, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) at the US Department of State, said the MOU results in framework for the two countries’ mutual interests in energy security, delivering a message of calling for US firms’ investment in Vietnam and therefore helping the country pursues its own energy strategies. 

Allowing AES to participate in Son My 2 project shows Vietnam’s efforts to maintain long-term cooperation in energy and balanced trade with the US, local media quoted the MOIT. 
Other news
15:17, 2024/11/04
Hiring multitaskers: Priority for Hanoi companies
Several sectors experience increased hiring demand in the remaining months of 2024
18:17, 2024/11/03
Hanoi seeks partnerships to build skilled workforce for digital transformation
Vocational training institutions play important roles in developing a quality workforce prepared for large companies.
18:35, 2024/10/30
Hanoi to host Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2024
The summit aims to share best practices and promote cooperation among Vietnam's provinces and cities in building and developing smart cities.
15:53, 2024/10/29
Vietnamese spend $8.9 billion on ecommerce
The total transaction volume in the Jan-Sep period increased by 37.7% compared to the same period last year.
14:48, 2024/10/29
Hanoi steps up inspections to crack down on unsafe food
The purpose of the survey is to gain a thorough understanding of the local food safety situation and to identify non-compliance promptly, allowing for corrective actions to be taken to mitigate health risks.
22:24, 2024/10/23
SEMIEXPO Vietnam 2024 to foster growth of semiconductor industry
The exhibition aims to develop the ancillary industry ecosystem and attract investment from the world's leading semiconductor companies.