The Blue Circle gets approval for second wind project in Vietnam

The Blue Circle, a renewable energy developer, has received approval for a second wind project in the Ninh Thuan province, South Vietnam.

Following the installation of the first 100 metre meteorological mast in the Ninh Thuan province for its first project in October 2014, The Blue Circle has been awarded a second site to develop a wind project at the Dam Nai location, in the north of the Ninh Thuan province.

Together with its Vietnamese partner TSV, The Blue Circle has received policy approval from the highest authorities of the province in an official ceremony on 25 March during the Conference on Investment in Ninh Thuan Province, sponsored by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.

The awarded site comprises of 933 hectares along the Highway 1 and is used mainly for rice cultivation today. The application was placed for 100 MW energy generating project to be built in phases for a total potential investment of US$200 million. The electric substation to connect the turbines to the Vietnamese national grid is onsite.

Olivier Duguet, Chief Executive Officer of The Blue Circle, stated:

"This second approval of a wind project in Ninh Thuan province confirms our commitment to develop wind power in Vietnam as well as the success of our partnering strategy."

"We selected this site two years ago as an ideal location for its excellent wind potential and we are honoured to have been chosen by the Ninh Thuan provincial authorities to develop the site into a wind power project."

The next step for the Dam Nai site development will be the installation of a 100 metre meteorological mast in the coming weeks and the start of engineering studies. The construction of first phase of the project is expected after permitting is completed mid-year 2016.