Environment at Vinh Tan power complex under scrutiny
The People’s Committee of the central province of Binh Thuan is urging relevant agencies and investors to channel efforts to prevent environmental pollution caused by Vinh Tan Thermal Power Complex in the locality.
A corner of the Vinh Tan Thermal Power Complex in Binh Thuan province. (Photo: VNA)
Binh Thuan (VNA) - The People’s Committee of the central provinceof Binh Thuan is urging relevant agencies and investors to channel efforts toprevent environmental pollution caused by Vinh Tan Thermal Power Complex in thelocality.
The complex consists of five thermo power projects: Vinh Tan 1,2,3,4 andexpanded Vinh Tan 4. The Vinh Tan 2 and 4 power plants were put into use andthe others are under construction.
There has been an increasing amount of cinders and ash coming from bothconstruction and operation sites, leaving critical impacts on local residents. Localsonce blockaded the National Highway No 1 to stop traffic, asking for thesettlement of coal dust and cinders from the complex.
Particularly, sewage from the plants contaminated water resources and killedmany perennial trees and crops.
A working group was set up in September 2014 by the provincial People’sCommittee as part of efforts to supervise environmental protection at thecomplex. From December 2017 to February 2018, the group conducted 11supervisions on the plants.
Investors also proactively worked to address environmental pollution. They alreadycompleted the installation of automatic monitoring systems of air and waterpollution as well as increased the capacity of storing cinders and ash leftfrom burning coal to make power.
Wastewater and air treatment systems as well as electrostatic precipitators areamong solutions to the environmental pollution.
According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Van Nam,the province has recommended a special supervision programme for the Vinh TanPower Complex to ensure environment conditions in the locality.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment should make regular reportson the environmental impacts of the thermal power projects to chalk outrational solutions, he said.
In the long term, relevant authorities should seek measures to ensurelivelihoods for people in the affected areas.-VNA
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A corner of the Vinh Tan Thermal Power Complex in Binh Thuan province. (Photo: VNA) 
