GE powers up Vietnam’s first LNG-fuelled CCGT units
GE Vernova has announced the commercial start-up of Vietnam’s first 9HA-turbine driven combined-cycle power plant, Nhon Trach 3&4. Operated by PV Power, these two plants are Vietnam’s first LNG-fuelled unit, helping to accelerate the coal-to-gas transition of the power sector.
Vietnam inaugurates first two LNG-fuelled power plants
Nhon Trach 3&4, Vietnam’s first two LNG-fired power plants were inaugurated on Sunday. The US$1.4 billion, 1.6 GW project secured US$1.1 billion in financing – without state guarantees.
PV Power nears launch of Vietnam’s first full LNG-to-power units
Nhon Trach Unit 4 — one of two units at Vietnam’s first LNG-fired power plant — is scheduled to begin commercial operations on December 20. PetroVietnam invested an estimated $1.4 billion in the twin units, which have a combined capacity of 1,620 MW.
PetroVietnam to start up LNG-fuelled power plant in Q3
PetroVietnam Power is preparing to start up the Nhon Trach 3 power plant in the third quarter of 2025, while Nhon Trach 4 is scheduled to start commercial operations by the end of this year. Capital expenditure (CAPEX) for developing the two LNG-fuelled power plants comes to US$ 1.4 billion, financed under a 75:25 debt vs equity ratio.
Vietnam: PM wants first LNG power plant operational by June
The Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has urged for an accelerated start-up of the country’s first LNG-fuelled power project. Out of 14 gas power projects in planning, only the Nhon Trach 3&4 plants are on track to be commissioned in the second and third quarter of this year.
Nhon Trach 3&4, developed by the EPC contractors SamSung C&T and Lilama on behalf of PV Power. Situated near Ho-Chi-Minh City in Dong Nai province, the plants have a design capacity of 1.500 MW (2x750MW) and an annual average power production of 9 billion kWh per year.
Urge to bring another 6 GW onstream
Speaking at an industry forum, PM Chính underlined the urgency of advancing the remaining projects, particularly the Block B–O Mon and Hiep Phuoc 1 combined cycle gas power plants, which together have a projected capacity of 6,634 MW.
According to Vietnam’s Office of the National Steering Committee on Energy Projects, these two CCGTs are “the only other projects with a realistic chance of becoming operational before 2030.”
To meet that timeline, however, developers must finalize power purchase agreements (PPAs), gas sale agreements (GSAs), and secure debt financing by early 2026.
PetroVietnam in June signed multiple agreements with its partners to advance the Block B–O Mon project, yet efforts have had limited effect so far. The national oil major’s initiative involves offshore gas fields in blocks 48/95 and 52/97 along with a 400-kilometer pipeline, designated to deliver natural gas to the O Mon thermal power complex in southwest Vietnam.
Vietnam’s first LNG-to-power plants to grid-connect this week
Nhon Trach 3 & 4, Vietnam’s first LNG-fuelled power stations with 1.6 GW capacity, will be grid-synchronized before the end of this week. Dong Nai's Department of Industry and Trade disclosed the 500 kV Nhon Trach 4/ Phu My/ Nha Be power line – one of four lines built to accommodate electricity from the two plants – is scheduled to start operating by November 15.
