Under the contract signed with local company Phu Cuong Group (PCG), DNV GL will assess key factors including wind potential, environmental impact and grid interconnection for the $435m project.
The scope of the contract also includes assessment of permitting and land control issues, needs for a safe, reliable and affordable connection to the province’s electrical grid.
DNV GL will also assess the potential for a foundational design, estimate potential construction costs and recommend the optimal approach to financing it.
DNV GL energy division Asia Pacific executive vice president Mathias Steck said: "As Vietnam significantly increases its electricity generating capacity, I am delighted to see PCG supporting the global climate change imperative with its leadership in building a sustainable electricity supply for Vietnam."
The study will be funded through a grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency.
DNV GL North America offshore commercial lead Michael Drunsic said: "Our team looks forward to applying our global offshore expertise to help support the success of wind power in the growing economy of Soc Trang province and across the Mekong Delta."
The Phu Cuong 1 farm represents the first of the company’s proposed 800MW of near-offshore wind power projects planned to be developed along the coast of Soc Trang province.
PCG is planning to develop 800MW of wind power along 65km coastline of Soc Trang province, to meet the increasing power demands in Vietnam.
PCG energy and investment pham deputy general manager Quoc Anh said: "We are confident that DNV GL, with their experience in developing 150,000MW wind energy globally, will produce a high quality Feasibility Study for Phu Cuong 1 Wind Farm, creating the foundation for the project’s success in future."
The Vietnamese government aims to have operational wind capacity of 800MW by 2020, 2000MW by 2025 and 6000MW by 2030.
Construction of the Phu Cuong 1 wind farm is scheduled to commence in 2017.
Image: Officials of Phu Cuong Group and DNV GL sign contract for Phu Cuong Group’s offshore wind farm feasibility study. Photo: Courtesy of DNV GL AS.
