Solar Power Illuminates Phu Quy, A Journey to Conquer Remote Islands

Phu Quy island district, located nearly 120 km from the mainland, is likened to the “green pearl” of Binh Thuan province for its rare, pristine beauty. Blue seas, rich coral reefs, and long stretches of white sandy beaches have defined its tourism brand. However, Phu Quy is also harsh on its inhabitants: there is little arable land, making farming and animal husbandry difficult to develop, and the majority of the population relies on fishing.

Electricity has always been a concern. Before 2021, the island had a power plant from EVN and wind turbines, but this was still not enough to meet the 24/7 demand for its more than 20,000 residents, especially as tourism on Phu Quy continues to grow. People still had to rely on medium-sized generators for each neighborhood. These machines were not only fuel-intensive but also prone to breakdowns, disrupting daily life. Many families were accustomed to flickering lights and even sudden power outages in the middle of the night.

Therefore, supplementing the power supply with a clean, sustainable solar source, well-suited to the year-round sun and wind conditions, became a crucial solution. For an independent island like Phu Quy, a hybrid energy approach combining diesel, solar, and wind power is essential. This was the genesis of the Phu Quy solar power project, marking a new chapter in the journey to “capture the sun” for the local community.

The Journey to Capture Sunshine on the Island

The project was invested in by the Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC) and implemented in Trieu Duong village, Tam Thanh commune, on an area of over 6,220 m². The total designed capacity is 806 kWp, with an investment of over 31 billion VND.

The Southern Power Engineering Consulting Company was responsible for the design. Vu Phong Energy Group and Power Construction Joint Stock Company No. 1 handled the construction, under the supervision of ABB Vietnam. The project includes:

• 2,121 high-efficiency AXITEC solar panels
• 12 ABB inverters
• A high-quality mounting frame and wiring system with a designed lifespan of over 30 years

A portion of the system was installed on the roofs of the workshop and office buildings of the Diesel Power Plant and Phu Quy Power Company, while the majority of the panels were arranged on the plant’s expanded open land.

A section of the solar power project on Phu Quy island.

The project was executed as an EPC (Engineering – Procurement – Construction) contract, meaning Vu Phong Energy Group was directly involved in all stages, from design and equipment procurement to construction, installation, and commissioning.

Days of Heavy Rain

According to the plan, the project commenced on August 25, 2020, and was scheduled for completion within 75 days. The weather in Phu Quy from August to October was expected to be sunny with little rain, which would have been favorable. However, nature was uncooperative in 2020. In October, the influence of a tropical depression from Typhoon No. 12 brought prolonged rain, strong winds, and high waves.

The construction team facing weather challenges on-site.

The heavy rain made the construction site slippery, hindering the installation of mounting frames and the transport of equipment. Some days, the team had just erected the frames when a downpour forced them to halt, cover everything, and wait for the water to recede before continuing. Despite these challenges, work was maintained continuously, as the handover deadline did not allow for delays.

Overcoming Hardship to Achieve a Milestone

The greatest difficulty was not just the weather, but also the logistics of transporting equipment. Everything had to be shipped from the mainland to the island by sea, a journey that took many days and was dependent on wind and wave conditions.

Amid the hardships, a strong spirit of unity prevailed. Engineers and workers from various units collaborated closely, all focused on a common goal: to complete the project on schedule and to the highest quality standards, bringing a source of clean energy to the remote island as soon as possible.

The 806 kWp island solar power project not only supplements the electricity supply during the day, reducing the load on diesel generators, but also helps maximize the proportion of renewable energy in Phu Quy’s grid when combined with the existing Phu Quy wind power system. As a result, the average cost of electricity generation is lowered, and CO2 emissions are reduced by approximately 1,000 tons annually, contributing to environmental protection (calculated based on the emission factor of Vietnam’s electricity grid in 2021).

The Result of Persistent Effort

Through relentless efforts on-site, regardless of sun or rain, the project was completed on time. The day the system was connected to the grid, the gleaming rows of panels under the sun were the clearest testament to the team’s perseverance.

Since then, Phu Quy island district has had an additional stable source of solar power, allowing the electricity system to operate continuously 24/7. Residents no longer worry about power outages, their quality of life has improved, and production and business activities have become more convenient.

Beyond providing electricity, the grid’s stability paves the way for other sustainable solutions. The abundant clean energy creates an opportunity for residents and businesses to transition to eco-friendly transportation, such as GoZero electric motorbikes. This not only helps reduce travel costs but also preserves the fresh air of the “green pearl,” thereby helping to promote ESG across the island. Tourism operators can also offer green benefits for employees and visitors, fostering a truly sustainable tourism ecosystem.

For Vu Phong Energy Group, this project holds not only technical value but also profound social significance: bringing sunlight to a remote island district and making a tangible contribution to the goals of sustainable development and the clean energy transition in Vietnam.

Vu Phong Energy Group