SEA’s Longest Undersea Cable System Inaugurated

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung congratulated Phu Quoc district’s residents and authorities on successfully implementing the island’s biggest project so far.

 

The system, the longest in Southeast Asia, stretches 57.33km from Thuan Yen village in Ha Tien town to Phu Quoc district’s Ham Ninh village. It includes two 110/22kV-40MVA transformers in Ha Tien and Phu Quoc.

 

The system’s VND2.3 trillion (US$110 million) budget came from a World Bank loan and corresponding capital supplied by Electricity of Vietnam’s Southern Power Corporation (EVN SPC).

 

The Italian contractor Prysmian completed installation after two months of construction, just in time to begin operation on the occasion of the 2014 Lunar New Year (Tet).

 

Kien Giang provincial leaders cited the project as an important milestone in the district’s development.

 

Kien Giang’s 2020 socio-economic development master plan aims to make Phu Quoc Island into a special administrative-economic zone by the end of the decade, serving as with a national and international centre for high-end ecotourism and entertainment.  It is also particularly significant in terms of security and national defence.

 

The project will help lower the VND25,000 per kWh electricity prices local residents must bear to levels enjoyed by their mainland compatriots. Many people are eager to capitalise on the available savings with newly purchased televisions, fridges, and electric fans.

 

PM Dung took the opportunity to present certificates of merit to organisations and individuals recognised for their significant contributions to the project.

 

EVN also handed over a VND2 billion primary school to authorities in Phu Quoc district’s Ham Ninh village.