Kien Giang: more islanders connected to national power grid
Up to 558 households with 2,323 residents on Son Hai island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang were connected to the national power grid as an electricity supply project to the island commune was put into operation on January 19.
According to the Kien Giang Electricity Corporation, the project, which began in December 2016 includes the installation of 4.8-km medium voltage cables, eight 840kVA transformer stations and meters for households on the island.
It has total investment of nearly VND45 billion (US$1.98 million), of which nearly half was sourced from the provincial budget.
Pham Van Co, whose house was among the first households, connected to the national power grid in Hon Am hamlet, Son Hai commune, Kien Luong district, expressed his excitement, saying that “we are very happy because we have electricity day and night.”
Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen, Chairwoman of the Son Hai communal People’s Committee said access to the national grid will aid fishing activites on the island.
Power access will also help develop local tourism as the Ba Lua archipelago of the commune groups 42 islets.
According to the Electricity of Vietnam Southern Power Corporation (EVN SPC), another two communes, namely Lai Son and Hon Nghe communes were connected to the national grid in 2016.
Under the project, all other island communes across Kien Giang, including An Son, Nam Du in Kien Hai district; Tien Hai in Ha Tien town; Hon Thom in Phu Quoc district will access the national grid from 2017-2020.
The project aims to ensure stable and around-the-clock power supply for the province’s island communes, thus protecting national security and sovereignty while improving locals’ living conditions.