The Blue Circle, Singapore based renewable energy firm operating in the Mekong region (Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia), has installed its first 100 meter meteorological mast in Ninh Thuan province, South Vietnam.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia program (PFAN-Asia), has backed this initiative by supplying equipment needed for this first meteorological campaign to measure wind energy potential in South Vietnam.
PFAN-Asia assists Southeast Asian developers’ aims to mobilize clean energy investments with US$1 billion fund and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 million tons. It provides networking and technical assistance to major stakeholders.
A 100 meter tower was first erected as part of the project which received a renewable energy policy approval by People’s Committee of Ninh Thuan province for developing a 30 MW wind farm.
This mast installed by Nam Kinh Trading is a prime component of wind measurement campaign started by The Blue Circle to check the wind energy resource in the area. A two year prolonged study will cost US$70 million roughly.
In addition, the mast is the first of its kind in South Vietnam and will help increasing best performance in wind measurement. It has been installed in line with International Energy Agency (IEA) recommendations and to The Blue Circle’s stringent specifications.
The Ministry of Energy of Vietnam estimates that there is more than 10,000 MW of near-term economically viable wind power in the country. PFAN-ASIA and USAID believe that it is very important that the first wave of wind power installations achieve predicted results, commented, Dan Potash, chief of party, PFAN-Asia.
The Blue Circle initiative in Vietnam supported by USAID through its PFAN-Asia program shows dedication from USAID to develop renewable energy in the region that needs clean power at a reasonable cost, noted, Olivier Duguet, CEO, The Blue Circle Pte.
Sabeena Wahid
editor@greentechlead.com