Covering more than 124 hectares, the 2x300MW plant has a total investment of nearly VND20 trillion ($952 million) and plans to employ state-of-the-art French technology to help minimise greenhouse gas emissions.

The project comprises a main plant, a coal storage facility and supporting infrastructure. It is scheduled to finish construction after 45 months and be commissioned in late 2017.

Once operational the plant is expected to contribute around 4,185GWh to the national power grid each year, spurring economic development in the country’s largest thermal power centre, also home to the Mao Khe, Cam Pha and Mong Duong power plants.

In light of the prime minister’s Decision 627/QD-TTg, approving the project, capital will be sourced 20 per cent from the developer and 80 per cent from foreign commercial loans.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai assigned relevant authorities to coordinate with the local administration and contractors to address any challenges and accelerate the pace of construction to ensure the quality and safety of the plant.