Gia Lai is one of the few provinces in Vietnam that has a good heat radiation, with a lot of sunny hours with an average of 4 hours of sunshine per day, which is very suitable for developing solar power. Therefore, many investors in Gia Lai as well as other provinces have come here to explore opportunities, survey solar power investment in both factory and rooftop solar power. According to information from Gia Lai People’s Committee, the province currently has 3 solar power projects with a total capacity of 138 MWp. The projects have been approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and added to the Electricity Development Planning of Gia Lai province.
Accordingly, the Krong Pa solar power project, capacity of 49 MW with a total investment of more than 1,400 billion VND, has been energized and operated in November 2018. Chu Ngoc solar power project, capacity of 40 MWp, is divided into 2 phases, phase 1 – 12.75 MW, commercial operation since April 2019; Phase 2 is in the process of preparing for investment. The Krong Pa 2 solar power project, with a capacity of 49 MWp, is currently underway.
In addition, 10 other solar power projects with a total capacity of 632 MWp are conducting legal procedures to implement the project. These projects are concentrated in localities such as Phu Thien, Krong Pa and Ayun Pa towns. With an investment of between VND 25 – 29 billion, solar power is attracting a great deal to investors. In Gia Lai, according to professional calculations, most localities in the province have solar power potential. This “piece of cake” is being paid special attention by both domestic and foreign investors.
“Storm” to rooftop solar power
Recently, in many spaces from the banquet table to the coffee … in the mountain town are tinged with stories of rooftop solar investment. This is a positive signal since the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 13/2020 / QD-TTg of April 6, 2020 on encouraging solar power development in Vietnam.
 Many investors rush to invest in rooftop solar PV – PHOTO: TRAN HIEU |
Mr. Vo Ngoc Quy – Deputy Director of PC Gia Lai said: “According to the regulations, rooftop rooftop solar power systems and contracts before July 1, 2016 are eligible for preferential purchase prices (excluding VAT). increase) is 9.35 cents / kWh (about VND 2,086 / kWh) with a constant value within 20 years. As for rooftop solar PV systems, there were times when electricity was put into operation and the meter readings were confirmed from 1.7.2019 to 31.12.2020, the buying price (excluding VAT) increase) is 8.34 cent / kWh (about VND 1,943 / kWh) and is applied for 20 years from the date of commissioning of the electricity generation ”.
Mr. Phung Van Phuoc, Business Registration Manager of the Department of Planning and Investment of Gia Lai said: “From the beginning of the year, the number of newly established enterprises and the number of additional businesses related to roof voltage has increased sharply. . The number of newly established enterprises is more than 200, enterprises adding more than 500 ngành.
In just one month, more than 300 investors registered to invest in the project with a total capacity of over 300 MWp.
 Many businesses install solar panels ready to meet the needs of customers – PHOTO: TRAN HIEU |
There are 319 projects installed and connected to the low-voltage grid with a total capacity of 5.1 MWp; 17 projects connected to medium voltage grid with a total capacity of 13.7 MWp. The total amount of electricity industry has paid to investors until now (only paid for energizing works before June 30, 1919) is 8.9 billion dong. As for the energizing works after June 30, 2019, awaiting the guidance of the authorities.
Lung bought farmland to make solar power
Attractive solar power in Gia Lai creates a “whirlwind” chain, from residents, investors to the system of banks. Many people in pepper-growing areas suffered from failure when the price dropped to the bottom and died, leading to debt. Banks sell off their land to investors to pay debts. Investors are also actively buying land in localities such as Chu Puh, Chu Se and Chu Prong. The beautiful areas of pepper growing day before cost around 500-700 million / ha, when pepper is no longer a high-value commodity has dropped its price to 300-400 million / ha. This is an opportunity for investors to acquire land in areas that can connect solar power through the assessment of the electricity industry.
Mr. N.H.V, a resident of H. Chu Rong district, said: “My family has more than 2.5 hectares of land, mainly growing pepper but pepper also died, red books are mortgaged at banks. Now they are selling and there are many people who come and buy because they say they can make rooftop solar electricity. As long as the land, they buy for less than 800 million is okay.
Tran Quang Thanh, an investor calculates: In Gia Lai, it is sunny about 4 hours / day. Investing in 1 MWp of rooftop solar power is about 15 billion dong while the revenue from selling electricity is about 2.8 – 3.2 billion dong / year. With such investment and income, it only takes about 6-7 years to break even. Therefore, the attraction of solar power is currently very large.
 A recently completed rooftop solar PV system in Gia Lai – PHOTO: TRAN HIEU |
Talk to the PV YouthA bank manager with a branch in Gia Lai said: “Many banks are lending to make solar PV. In some places, loans are made under projects, and in others, there are loan packages for solar PV. However, it all depends on the connection conditions to carry out the project ”.
Mr. Pham Van Binh – Director of Gia Lai Department of Industry and Trade recommends: “Currently, there are some shortcomings and shortcomings in developing the solar PV system in Gia Lai province such as: Ministry of Industry and Trade. Only constructing, collecting comments, not promulgating a Circular on project development and sample electricity trading contracts applicable to solar power projects. A number of individuals and organizations have purchased land, borrowed credit to deploy investment in the construction of agricultural and rural development works, combined with investment in rooftop solar power systems while not ensuring the design documents of the work as prescribed by law … so there is a potential risk of unsafe works. Some completed projects do not guarantee capacity release. A number of credit institutions and banks have signed loan lending contracts while investors have not fully met the conditions of the project so there is a potential risk of bad debt if the project is not developed. unlocked or not guaranteed the ability to release the full capacity of the rooftop solar power system. In addition, some localities when implementing investment projects in agriculture and rural development are not consistent with the planning, land use plans are still embarrassing … “.
