Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Planning and Investment are asking relevant agencies if they have any feedback on the Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN)’s plan to expand the national grid from the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang to southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province’s Con Dao Island via submarine cables.

Electricity demand on Con Dao, which is an increasingly popular tourist destination around 180 kilometers off Ba Ria-Vung Tau, has been on the rise.

The load forecast for the southern island in 2025 is 28.7 MW, 87.6 MW in 2030, and 94 MW in 2035, according to EVN.

Meanwhile, the two diesel-fired power plants on the island have a combined capacity of just 12 MW, which is seven MW lower than existing demand. 

Therefore, EVN proposed a project bringing electricity from the national grid in Soc Trang to Con Dao through submarine cables, which the power corporation believes to be much more stable than other forms of power supply and also minimize the impact on the island’s environment and ecology.

The project is set to start at Soc Trang Province, with the construction of 102.5 kilometers of submarine 110kV lines, featuring 6.1 kilometers of underground 110kV cables. 

It is expected to cost VND4.9 trillion (US$211.2 million), including VND2.5 trillion ($107.7 million) from the state budget.

The electricity retail price on Con Dao upon the completion of the project is estimated at VND2,429.6 ($0.1) per kWh. 

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