Delta Offshore Energy Americas LLC was awarded a grant by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to enable green projects in Vietnam, a press release reported.
“This USTDA grant for the feasibility study of the 500-kV transmission line from Bac Lieu to Thot Not will enable many renewable projects along the route that would not have been realized without the 500-kV line to evacuate their electricity. The USTDA grant also supports very good American jobs at home and levels the playing field for U.S. companies to compete abroad,” Delta Offshore Energy Americas, LLC’s Bobby Quintos said in a press release.
The fund, given via the organization’s affiliate, Mekong Clean Energy Infrastructure Co., Ltd. (MCEI) on May 11, is set to cover the feasibility study of the 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Vietnam for the Bac Lieu 3.2-gigawatt (GW) power plant. The development is intended to leverage multiple renewable projects across southern provinces and their connection to the national grid for the next 25 years, the press release stated.
“The grant provides endorsement by the U.S. government to provide affordable and reliable clean energy to the country and people of Vietnam,” said Ian Nguyen, managing director, Delta Offshore Energy, in a press release. “This government-to-government partnership will support Vietnam to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and support economic development for its people as declared at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26).”
According to the press release, Kansas-based construction engineering company, Black & Veatch will also contribute to the cause by piecing the feasibility study together in the U.S. and Vietnam, and collaborating with the Institute of Energy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam regarding the projects.
“Development of the Thot Not transmission line will address a key strategic concern of the Bac Lieu LNG-to-Power project and ensure the real benefits of lower carbon energy are dispatched reliably and effectively to the people of Vietnam,” said Deepa Poduval, Black & Veatch’s global advisory lead in a press release. “Black & Veatch is committed to continue supporting Vietnam in achieving new levels of technical and commercial success as it delivers upon its ambitious energy transition plans.”
The advancement was celebrated at a special ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong, the prime minister of Vietnam, His Excellency Pham Minh Chinh and nine of his top ministers, among other executives representing the participating companies.