Dong Nai accelerates land clearance for national energy projects

Dong Nai province currently hosts two major power generation projects and several power grid projects categorized as national key and strategic energy works. Their timely completion and operation are expected to help secure national energy and boost the province’s socio-economic development.

Leaders of Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, and Dai Phuoc communes, together with project investors, conducted an on-site inspection of land clearance progress for the transmission works serving the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants.

For this reason, local authorities are expediting land clearance efforts to create favorable conditions for the projects to be completed on schedule.

Key energy projects facing land clearance obstacles

As one of Vietnam’s major industrial centers in the Southeast region, Dong Nai has a high electricity demand. With its strategic location along the southern industrial and energy development corridor, the province has been selected to host several large-scale energy projects aimed at supporting local socio-economic growth and strengthening regional and national energy security.

Notably, two major power generation projects are underway: the Tri An hydropower plant expansion project, with a capacity of 200 MW, and the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants, with a combined capacity exceeding 1,600 MW. However, both projects are encountering difficulties with land clearance that threaten to delay their overall progress.

According to Pham Hong Phuong, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the Tri An hydropower plant expansion project began construction in August 2025. However, several components, such as the water intake area, pressure pipeline, disposal site, and the two ends of the Hieu Liem Bridge, have yet to commence due to unresolved site clearance issues. As a result, certain construction items have been suspended, putting the project at risk of falling behind the approved schedule.

“The Tri An hydropower plant expansion project plays a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of the national power system, particularly in the southern region. Timely completion will contribute to national energy security and promote Dong Nai’s socio-economic development. Therefore, we respectfully request the province’s support in completing land clearance by November,” Phuong shared.

For the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants, although the generation units are ready for commercial operation in November and December, the associated power transmission projects are still facing obstacles related to site clearance.

The 220 kV Nhon Trach Industrial Park Substation and connection project is still facing obstacles related to land clearance. (Photo: File)

Specifically, 21 out of 87 tower foundation sites for the 220 kV Nhon Trach 3 – Long Thanh 500 kV substation transmission line have not yet been handed over. At the 220 kV Nhon Trach Industrial Park Substation and its connection point, two households have not agreed to the compensation or the handover of more than 8,700 square meters of land. In addition, the compensation, support, and resettlement plans for the 220 kV Nhon Trach 3 – My Xuan – Cat Lai and 500 kV Nhon Trach 4 – Phu My – Nha Be transmission line projects have not yet been approved.

Bui Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of the Southern Power Projects Management Board, warned that if land is not handed over by November, there will be a high risk of delays affecting the overall schedule. He urged the Dong Nai People’s Committee to take decisive action and direct local authorities to promptly finalize compensation and land clearance, enabling continuous construction and ensuring progress in line with the schedule assigned by the Prime Minister.

The sooner the site is cleared, the better

The power generation and transmission projects mentioned above are of particular importance to the energy sector and to Dong Nai’s socio-economic development. Once operational, these projects will contribute a significant amount of electricity to the national grid, helping to ensure national energy security and meet the growing electricity demand in southern Vietnam. At the same time, they support the implementation of the country’s commitment to net-zero emissions and the goal of sustainable development. Specifically for Dong Nai, the operation of these projects will not only create more jobs but also make a substantial contribution to the provincial budget.

The Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants are scheduled to begin commercial operation in November or December 2025

In recent months, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have issued several directives concerning the progress of major energy projects in Dong Nai province. Most recently, under Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP dated November 4, 2025, the Government requested that the province expedite land clearance and handover for the power transmission projects serving the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants, as well as the Tri An hydropower plant expansion project.

One day after the resolution was issued, at a meeting with the State Steering Committee for Key Energy Projects, Ho Van Ha, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, instructed relevant localities to promptly remove bottlenecks and complete land clearance within November, emphasizing that “the sooner the site is cleared, the better.”

Provincial leaders also urged project investors to collaborate closely with local authorities on public communication, negotiations, and compensation payments to affected households. Contractors were instructed to accelerate construction after the site was handed over to make up for previous delays. Any difficulties that arise should be reported promptly to ensure timely support, thereby maintaining overall project progress and adherence to the national energy schedule.

At the Thematic Conference on Key Tasks and Solutions for the Final Months of 2025, held on November 8, the Dong Nai People’s Committee identified ensuring site availability for energy projects as one of its top priorities.

For energy-related projects, provincial leaders urged departments, sectors, and local authorities to resolve land clearance issues in line with the Revised Power Development Plan VIII, ensuring adequate electricity supply to sustain socio-economic growth. The province also emphasized the need to closely monitor investor performance, urging the Nhon Trach 3 power plant to commence commercial operation in November 2025, the Nhon Trach 4 plant in December 2025, and the Tri An hydropower plant expansion project to begin operation in 2027.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Hong Van, Minho