The completion of the transmission line before Vietnam's National Day (2/9) marks significant progress in the cross-border energy project, a company representative stated. This accomplishment demonstrates the company's commitment to meeting deadlines and highlights the proactive role of private enterprises in promoting infrastructure connectivity and contributing to national energy security.

The successful connection was recorded in early September. The first tower of the 220kV line on the Vietnamese side received the power line from the Savan 1 wind power plant. Over six months prior, the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment awarded the project concession contract to T&T.

The 220kV transmission line from the Savan 1 wind power plant in Laos has been completed after over six months of construction. Photo: T&T

The 220kV transmission line from the Savan 1 wind power plant in Laos has been completed after over six months of construction. Photo: T&T

Immediately following the contract award, construction began on the 52.56 km transmission line, located entirely within Laos. The line begins at point G7 near the border between the two countries and terminates at the 220kV substation of the Savan 1 wind power plant. The entire line consists of 117 tower locations and 30 anchor spans. The towers are designed as galvanized steel lattice structures connected by bolts, with reinforced concrete foundations cast in place.

Clearing and access road construction began just one day after the concession contract was signed. All materials and equipment were transported from Vietnam to Laos, navigating the complex terrain of mountains, forests, and villages. The company had to complete numerous import-export procedures and permits to bring personnel and machinery to the site. Weather conditions also presented challenges during the construction process.

The Lao Minister of Planning and Investment awards the Savan 1 wind power project concession contract to Nguyen Thai Ha (second from left). Photo: Nhat Bac/VGP

The Lao Minister of Planning and Investment awards the Savan 1 wind power project concession contract to Nguyen Thai Ha (second from left). Photo: Nhat Bac/VGP

Nguyen Thai Ha, general director of Savan 1 Wind Power Company Limited, stated that T&T Group provided maximum support, facilitating site access, material and personnel mobilization, and handling necessary procedures for efficient contractor deployment. Thanks to this coordinated effort, tower erection began in mid-February, with nearly 500 employees working to ensure the project stayed on schedule.

On 15/5, after three months of construction, the first sections of cable were strung. On the evening of 31/8, just before National Day, the construction team completed the cable pull across the Se Pon River, the natural border between Laos and Vietnam. This marked the completion of the connection from the Savan 1 wind power plant to the first tower of the 220kV line on the Vietnamese side.

According to Nguyen Thai Ha, the completed connection is a crucial technical milestone towards establishing the entire power line to the Lao Bao 220kV substation. This component ensures the plant's commercial operation date (COD) target is met before 31/12.

Ha attributed this success to the close guidance of T&T Group's leadership and the dedication of hundreds of engineers and workers on-site who overcame harsh weather and time constraints to deliver the project on schedule.

The group's clean energy projects. Photo: T&T

The group's clean energy projects. Photo: T&T

In a broader context, a T&T Group representative stated that the rapid progress in Laos demonstrates the private sector's commitment to sustainable energy development. The project also contributes to the foundation for double-digit economic growth in the future.

Recently, the Politburo issued Resolution 70-NQ/TW on ensuring national energy security to 2030, with a vision to 2045. Signed by General Secretary To Lam, the resolution emphasizes the effective exploitation of renewable, new, and clean energy sources.

The resolution also focuses on encouraging all economic sectors, particularly the private sector, to participate in energy development. It also promotes expanding power and gas grid connections within ASEAN and encourages Vietnamese businesses to invest abroad for long-term electricity, gas, and oil imports.

Experts believe Resolution 70-NQ/TW on ensuring national energy security creates new opportunities for the private sector, continuing the spirit of Resolution 68-NQ/TW on private economic development. Private enterprises are not only beneficiaries but also key players in energy investment, production, and business, participating in every stage from generation and transmission to distribution, services, and technology. This helps address capital challenges, reduces the burden on public investment, and improves the energy sector's management efficiency.

According to T&T Group's leadership, the company's journey in Laos exemplifies its proactive engagement in key areas, aligning with Resolution 70. The group demonstrated this proactivity by signing the Savan 1 wind power project concession contract in January. The contract grants Savan 1 Wind Power Company Limited the right to design, build, own, and operate the project for 25 years, with a planned total capacity of 495MW. This comprehensive ownership allows T&T Group's member company to deeply engage in capital, technical, and technological aspects.

The group collaborates with leading global partners in the energy sector. Photo: T&T

The group collaborates with leading global partners in the energy sector. Photo: T&T

The project aims to export electricity to Vietnam, with phase one scheduled for commercial operation by the end of this year. This aligns with Resolution 70's policy of expanding regional power grid connections and actively importing energy, realizing T&T's cross-border energy development strategy.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh, deputy general director of T&T Group and chairwoman of Savan 1 Wind Power Company Limited, stated that the concession contract signing marks progress in the company's clean energy development strategy and represents a milestone in economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The project will contribute to meeting domestic energy demand through electricity exports back to Vietnam.

"The Savan 1 wind power plant is a pioneering project, laying the foundation for us to expand investment in other energy projects in Laos in the future," Binh said.

T&T Group aims to achieve a total power generation capacity of 16,000 to 20,000 MW by 2035, equivalent to about 10% of the national power system's total capacity. Most of this capacity will come from clean energy sources like solar, wind, LNG, biomass, and green hydrogen and ammonia, contributing to Vietnam's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

To date, businessman Do Quang Hien's (Bau Hien) group has invested in a cumulative capacity of 2,800 MW. This includes 10 completed and operational wind and solar power plants with a total capacity of nearly 1,000 MW, connected to the national grid. The group is also collaborating with South Korean partners on the Hai Lang LNG power project's phase one, with a capacity of 1,500 MW and a total investment of approximately 2.5 billion USD, expected to be operational by 2029.

The group continues to develop and invest in numerous low-carbon and renewable energy projects, including onshore and offshore wind and solar power, biomass, LNG power, and converting coal-fired power plants to LNG. They are also involved in battery energy storage system (BESS) production plants and researching new energy forms like hydrogen and ammonia.

These projects aim to supply electricity to the national grid, sell electricity to foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises through the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) mechanism, and provide energy storage solutions for renewable energy plants. The company also provides green electricity for green hydrogen production, with many projects approved in Power Development Plan VIII and more being added to the revised plan. T&T Group is preparing to implement investment, construction, and operation of these projects between 2026 and 2030.

In terms of technological cooperation, T&T Group has established relationships with major global partners from South Korea (Hanwha, Kogas, Kospo, SK E&S), Japan (erex, Marubeni, Sojitz, JPower), China (Cospower, Gedi, Goldwind), the United Kingdom (BP), and Laos (Vinacom). The group has also secured a commitment of up to 6 billion USD in financing from Standard Chartered Bank for green energy projects.

Resolution 70-NQ/TW sets strategic objectives for national energy. Experts believe this will be a crucial policy pillar for Vietnam to realize its aspirations for rapid, sustainable growth and become a developed nation by 2045. Private enterprises like T&T Group are making significant contributions to the energy transition and ensuring national energy security.

Hoang Dan