Offshore Wind Worldwide Regulatory Framework in Selected Countries 5th Edition 2024 - Flipbook - Page 376
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5. GRID AND GRID
CONNECTION
5.1 Planning and construction of the grid
connection system
Currently, a connection point between
the wind power project and the national
power grid must be agreed upon between
the seller and the buyer. However, the seller
must be responsible for investing, operating,
and maintaining the transmission lines and
step-up transformer stations (if any) from
its power plant to the nearest pre-existing
connection point to the national power grid,
as provided under the relevant provincial
power development plan. Depending on the
level of connected voltage, the power distribution company, or the power transmission company under EVN is responsible for
investing in power transmission lines from
the connection point to the national power
grid following the approved power development plan.
If the connection point belongs to a new
power grid project which has not yet been
completed, the seller must agree with the
buyer in order to synchronise the progress
of the wind power project and the power
grid development project. If the seller and
the buyer cannot agree on the connection
point, the seller must submit a proposal to
MOIT to resolve the impasse.
5.2 Responsibility for the cost of the grid
connection system
The seller is responsible for the construction
costs of the power transmission lines and
step-up transformer stations (if any) from
its power plant to the connection point. The
Vietnam
power distribution company or the power
transmission company under EVN is responsible for the construction costs of the power
transmission lines from the connection
point to the national power grid.
5.3 Consequences of delays and disruptions of the grid connection system
Under the current wind power regulations
or the PPA template, there is no remedy to
protect the OWF owner against delays and
disruptions relating to the grid connection.
5.4 Onshore grid congestions, prioritisation of renewable energy resources
and compensation mechanisms
Concerns have been raised as to the potential overloading of the power transmission
system. This is particularly so in regions with
high solar irradiance, where many solar projects will connect to the grid. Therefore, there will be a risk if an OWF has a connection
point in these regions. The template PPA
provides no safeguard to protect the seller,
such as compensation payable to the seller
if forced to curtail production to prevent
overloading of the transmission grid. Further, there is no priority in purchasing energy
from renewable sources over conventional
sources. For projects to which grid connection agreements have terms requiring
investors to reduce or suspend the plant
output or capacity when there is an overload
of the power grid or an excess of power, EVN
has then signed PPAs with the investors with
provisions supplementing this requirement.
This approach may be widely applied by EVN
going forward.
