Petrovietnam General Director Le Manh Hung during the inspection visit to Thai Binh 2 thermal power plant, December 16, 2022.

The delegation visited some key facilities including coal storage facility 2, the coal port, and the plant’s control center.  

According to general contractor PETROCONs, the project is scheduled to be commissioned within the next 45 days and 97.11% of the project has been completed to date.   

The coal loading, unloading, and transportation system has basically met the requirements for increasing the capacity of Unit 1. PETROCONs and other contractors are gearing up to complete the coal conveyor and the roofing of the coal storage facility. Contractor FLS which is in charge of operating the system has increased the number of workers and extend working time to meet the deadline. 98.8% of the roofing of the coal storage facility 2 and 97% of the coal conveyor have been completed.       

The finishing touches are being put to the pumping station at the slag disposal site and the firefighting system. The coal grinding system, and NOx control and wet flue gas desulfurization systems have been put on a trial run and are ready for the increase of the capacity of Unit 1.

Preparations for increasing the capacity of Unit 1.

According to general contractor PETROCONs, after Unit 2 started diesel-fired operation on a trial run, contractors and Petrovietnam specialists are working hard to prepare for its coal-fired operation.

Thai Binh 2 thermal power plant, scheduled to begin commercial operation by the end of 2022, is encountering numerous challenges including fluctuations in global coal and HFO prices and complicated licensing procedures.

Petrovietnam Director General Le Manh Hung emphasized 3 tasks that need to be fulfilled as soon as possible. They include ensuring the supply of quality coal, HFO, and other materials and equipment, speeding up the process of applying for necessary licenses, particularly the fire safety certificate, and reviewing the entire operation and maintenance process to prepare for commercial operation.

“The project is now at a critical point. We are determined to meet the deadline for commercial operation by December 31, 2022,” said General Director Hung. 

A latest report by the project management unit and general contractor PETROCONs said that the test run capacity of Unit 1 was successfully increased to 602 MW at 9.54 pm on November 16, 2022 (the EPC contract sets the Unit’s maximum capacity at 600MW).