Sharp to launch new solar power plant in central Vietnam
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Japanese electronics giant Sharp Corporation will begin operating a 45 MW solar power plant in the central province of Ninh Thuan in July. The plant is a joint venture between Sharp Energy Solutions Corp., a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Vietnam’s T&T Group JSC, and its affiliate Ninh Thuan Energy Industry JSC.
The new solar plant is expected to generate 76,373 MWh of electricity per year, enough to meet the average annual demand of 40,500 Vietnamese households. It can offset the equivalent of 25,458 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions a year, Sharp said in a recent statement.
Japanese news agency Kyodo News quoted a spokesman of the giant as saying that Sharp has been pushing its solar power business in Asia, having built plants in Thailand, Indonesia, and Mongolia, on the back of expected growth in consumption of electricity.
Solar power currently accounts for 0.01 percent of Vietnam’s total power output, but the government plans to increase the ratio to 3.3 percent by 2030 and 20 percent by 2050.
Vietnam currently relies largely on hydropower and thermal power for its electricity needs, but its hydropower potential is almost fully exploited and oil and gas reserves are running low.
Under its energy development plan, Vietnam aims to have renewables, mainly solar and wind, account for 10.7 percent of total energy production by 2030.
Questions & Answers
Q.When will Sharp's new solar power plant in Ninh Thuan begin operating?
When will Sharp's new solar power plant in Ninh Thuan begin operating?
The new 45 MW solar power plant, a joint venture involving Sharp Energy Solutions Corp., is scheduled to commence operations in July. It is located in the central province of Ninh Thuan, Vietnam.
Q.How much electricity will the new solar plant generate annually and how many households can it power?
How much electricity will the new solar plant generate annually and how many households can it power?
The new solar plant is projected to generate 76,373 MWh of electricity each year. This output is sufficient to meet the average annual demand of 40,500 Vietnamese households.
Q.What are Vietnam's long-term targets for solar power's contribution to its total power output?
What are Vietnam's long-term targets for solar power's contribution to its total power output?
Vietnam aims to increase solar power's share to 3.3 percent of total power output by 2030, rising significantly to 20 percent by 2050. This is part of a broader energy development plan.
Q.Why is Vietnam looking to increase its reliance on renewable energy sources like solar power?
Why is Vietnam looking to increase its reliance on renewable energy sources like solar power?
Vietnam is turning to renewables as its hydropower potential is almost fully exploited and oil and gas reserves are diminishing. The government aims for renewables to comprise 10.7 percent of total energy production by 2030.
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