LNG-to-power project to be developed in Vietnam

B.Grimm Power and ECV have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA), and B.Grimm Power intends to invest approximately US$200 million in equity at financial close of the project. B.Grimm Power’s more than 20 years presence in Vietnam and expertise in operating gas fired power plants with a total capacity of more than 2000 MW will ensure a smooth project implementation as well as reliable and efficient electricity production.

Siemens Energy will deliver advanced technology equipment into the project to reduce the global carbon footprint by bringing cleaner burning gas to a still coal-dominated region. Further, Siemens Energy is evaluating to participate with construction equity to the project, which has an estimated total project cost of US$1.75 billion.

“B.Grimm Power is excited to work with ECV, Siemens Energy and Maius to deliver the MKG LNG project on time and we welcome the timely issuance of Power Development Plan VIII,” said Dr. Harald Link, Chairman and President of B.Grimm Power. “We find great confidence in the innovative risk mitigation approach applied to the project as a cornerstone for the Vietnamese energy transition. As internationally recognised, LNG is a cleaner, cost-effective fuel alternative to coal. MKG LNG can help the energy transition in Vietnam in accordance with commitments made under the Paris Accords and at COP26.”

David Lewis, ECV Chairman and CEO, said the addition of B.Grimm Power and Siemens Energy as partners speaks to the strength of the MKG project in Vietnam.

“Partnering with B.Grimm Power and Siemens Energy bolsters ECV’s first-class LNG-to-power project that will provide critical energy security to Vietnam," Lewis said. “Beyond world-class engineering competence and efficiency, B.Grimm Power and Siemens Energy take a comprehensive approach to the development by leveraging global relationships and experience to deliver turnkey solutions."

Vietnam is finalising its Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), which is expected to include ECV’s LNG-to-power project in Mui Ke Ga (MKG) near key manufacturing centres outside of Ho Chi Minh City. ECV signed an MoU with the People’s Committee of Binh Thuan Province in 2019 to develop a fully private, multi-phase LNG-to-power complex and received in-principle approval from the Prime Minister in 2020.

The MKG project will produce up to 3600 MW of power using 3 million tpy of LNG. The project will utilise an FSRU to provide the most economical solution for importing LNG and will connect via subsea pipeline to an onshore power complex. The first phase of this project is slated to go into operation in 2025.

“To be part of the clean energy transition and to bring together strategic partners to support the ambitious growth of cleaner energy production in Vietnam, with a fully privately funded project in Vietnam is something we feel strongly about” said Stefan M. Rohmer, Maius GmbH CEO. “We are proud to contribute innovative solutions for sourcing international capital and risk mitigation methods.”

Maius GmbH, a Swiss structuring and project finance advisor, advises ECV on the structuring of its debt and equity, strategic partnerships, and risk mitigation of the project. The solution uniquely integrates insurers, industrial partners and financiers, reducing and sharing the risk, thereby securing a significant reduction in project risk and finance cost.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/special-reports/16122021/lng-to-power-project-to-be-developed-in-vietnam/