Trung Nam Group to join renewable energy sector On June 10, Trung Nam Construction Investment Corporation (Trung Nam Group) and Trung Nam Wind Power Joint Stock Company signed contracts with partners to implement wind and solar power projects in the central province of Ninh Thuan.   General director Nguyen Tam Tien at the signing ceremony lauded the opportunities brought by this new partnership The future partners of Trung Nam Group in these projects are prestigious contractors in and outside the country, including Lilama 45.3 Joint Stock Company, Green Cosmos Marketing Pte Ltd., and especially Enercon and Syntegra Solar, two giants specialising in wind and solar power equipment provision. Nguyen Tam Tien, general director of Trung Nam Group, noted that the collaboration with these two energy giants from Germany proves the high determination of the investors to implement the projects. According to him, the investors have rejected out-dated technologies from several foreign countries and levelled up the quality of investment package with high initial installation costs. “These two Germany-based contractors are considered the Mercedes of the wind and solar energy industry due to their certified reputation. With the high quality, low-cost operation, long-term insurance, and high performance offered by the contractors, Trung Nam Group believes that the projects will efficiently come into operation and contribute to the budget of Ninh Thuan after their first phase is completed next year,” said Tien. The collaboration of Trung Nam Group with Enercon and Syntegra Solar is expected to exploit the potential and advantages of Ninh Thuan in wind and solar power sectors. It also marks a milestone in bilateral economic partnership between Vietnam and Germany, paving the way for future collaboration in renewable energy development. The construction of the Trung Nam wind power plant began in August 2016 with the total investment of VND3.96 trillion ($174.5 million). The factory is set to have a capacity of 90-100 MW, generating 286 million kWh of energy. Phase I of this project is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2018, while phase II will be finished in the second quarter of 2019. Trung Nam Group is also conducting a feasibility study of a solar power project as part of the wind power project. The company said it may develop a 515 MW solar power project in Ninh Thuan. Wind and solar power projects carried out by Trung Nam Group are expected to set the foundation for future integration projects in renewables in Ninh Thuan. Besides, according to investors, these projects will encourage other national and international investors to take advantage of renewable and clean energy in order to reduce environmental pollution caused by fossil fuel usage, and to support the model of energy usage provided by the Vietnamese government. By Phuong Linh, VIR