ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSEMENT

VINH TAN 4 THERMAL POWER PLANT PROJECT

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENT
I.

INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 1

II. PROJECT SUMMARY ............................................................................................. 64

III.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT .......................................................... 97

A.

Physical Environment ............................................................................................ 97

B.

Biological Environment ....................................................................................... 119

C.

Socio-economic Environment ............................................................................ 1210

IV.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT .......................................................................... 1311

D.

Land acquisition ................................................................................................ 1311

E.

Infrastructural systems ....................................................................................... 1311

F.

Air quality and noise .......................................................................................... 1412

G.

Wastewater ........................................................................................................ 1513

H.

Solid waste ........................................................................................................ 1714

I.

Ecosystem.......................................................................................................... 1715

J.

Erosion and sedimentation ................................................................................. 1816

K.

Landscape: ......................................................................................................... 1916

L.

Socio-economics ................................................................................................ 1916

M.

Reliability of the assessment........................................................................... 2017

V.

ALTENATIVE ANALYSIS ................................................................................... 2017

A.

Without Project Option ...................................................................................... 2017

B.

Alternative Site location..................................................................................... 2018

C.

Alternative Fuel ................................................................................................. 2118

D.

Alternative Technologies.................................................................................... 2119

VI.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................................. 2220

VII.

CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT

3027

VIII. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................. 3128

Page 2

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

I. INTRODUCTION
1. In an attempt to support economic growth as well as ensure national energy
security for Vietnam, the Master Plan of Vinh Tan Power Complex at Binh
Thuan province was approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in
Decision No.1532/Q-BCT dated 4/5/2007 in which the Vinh Tan Power
Complex with the capacity of 4,400 MW was to establish. By Decision No.
1020/Q-BCT dated 06/3/2012, the Ministry of Industry and Trade approved
the second revised version of Master Plan of Vinh Tan Power Complex
ratifying the establishment of Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant with a
capacity of 1,200 MW.
2. The Vinh Tan 4 TPP is a two-600MW-unit coal-fired power plant using the
conventional steam turbine technology with supercritical parameters (SC). The
total area of the Vinh Tan 4 TPP is about 70.2 ha, consisting of main power
houses, auxiliary areas, cooling water, coal storage area, and corridor of
separating greenery.
3. The EIA report for Vinh Tan 4 TPP project with the capacity of 1200 MW has
been prepared in persuant with (i) Law on Environmental Protection passed by
the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Session XI,
Plenum 8 on 29.11.2005, promulgated on 12.12.2005 under the Presidents
Ordinance 29/2005/L/CTN (ii) Decree 29/2011/ND-CP dated 18/04/2011 by
the

Government

on

providing

strategic

environmental

assessment,

environmental impact assessment and environmental protection commitment,

and (iii) Circular 26/2011/TT-BTNMT dated 18/07/2011 by the MONRE on
guiding in detail numbers of articles of Decree No. 29/2011/ND-CP dated
18/04/2011 on strategic environmental assessment (SEA), environmental
impact assessment (EIA) and environment protection commitment.
4. This summary EIA report (SEIA) has been prepared by PECC2 for use by the
Page 3

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Export Import Bank of Korea. This SEIA summarizes and consolidates the
major findings and recommendations presented in the EIA. The EIA is
available for public review at the office of Export Import Bank of Korea upon
request. The SEIA will be posted on website of Export Import Bank of Korea
before consideration of the requested loan by Export Import Bank of Koreas
Board of Directors.

Page 4

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Location of Vinh Tn 4
TPP

Figure 1.

The location of Vinh Tan 4 TPP in Vinh Tan commune,Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan Province

Page 5

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

II. PROJECT SUMMARY

5. Vinh Tan 4 TPP, which is one of the four plants belonging to the Vinh Tan
Thermal Power Complex, is located in Vinh Tan Commune, Tuy Phong
District, Binh Thuan Province.
6. Vinh Tan 4 TPP is located near the No.7 hamlets residential area, which
borders on the National Road No.1A towards the Northwest. Away from the
project area towards the Northeast nearly 4km, it is a Linh Son Tu Pagoda.
The Ho Dua Mountain is away from the project area approximately 4km
towards the North. The north-south railway is 1km from the project toward
Northwest . The CaNa Hotel is away from the project area about 7km
towards the East. (Figure 2).
7. The Hon Cau Marine Protection Area with total area of 12500ha is established
by Peoples Committee of Binh Thuan Province according to the Decision
No.2606/QD-UBND dated October 15, 2010. Hon Cau MPA was established
after firstly Vinh Tan Power Complex (Master Plan of Vinh Tan Power
Complex at Binh Thuan province was approved by the Ministry of Industry
and Trade in Decision No.1532/Q-BCT dated 4/5/2007).
8. The Vinh Tan 4 TPP is also located in the development zone and a part of the
ecological restoration area of Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (MPA). The
Project is about 8 km away from boundary of buffer zone #1 of Hon Cau
Island (strict conservation area) and 5.6km away from buffer zone #2 of
Breda sandbar area ((strict conservation area) (Figure 2). .
9. The Vinh Tan 4 TPP comprises 2 units with the capacity of 600MW each using
the conventional steam turbine technology with the supercritical parameters.
The establishment of the Vinh Tan 4 TPP includes construction and
installation of main and auxiliary buildings and facilities (turbine houses,
boiler houses, cooling water intake and discharge systems, water, electricity
supply system, coal port, ash yard) as well as other preparation activities at
various phases of the project such as site clearance, compensation,
resettlement, land leveling and so on.
10. The ultrasuper-critical, single reheated boiler using pulverised fuel was
selected. Turbine generator uses supercritical parameter, one-time
intermediate reheat, single shaft, 3 or 4-cylinders, 2 or 4-exhaust condensing
steam turbine. Steam turbine generator is water to hydrogen, static excitation

Page 6

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

rotating field, two poles, cylinder rotor, fully enclosed, synchronous.

11. A 100,000 DWT coal port will be constructed including items such as the

12.

13.

14.

15.

turning basin, fairways, conveyor to support the receiving and transport of

coal to storage place. Dredging will be carried out once at the port
construction period and every year for maintenance. Dredged materials will
be either reused as leveling material (in construction phase) or dumped at
pre-designed area (operation phase).
ESP system, Seawater FGD system and De-NOx system, which are dust,
SOx and NOx treatment systems respectively, will be constructed to reduce
such air pollutants to an acceptable value according to Vietnamese National
regulations. Wastewater treatment system will also be built to treat industrial
and domestic wastewater to meet regulation before being discharged to the
watersources.
The 22kV power route from Lien Huong to Ca Na with the length of 25km
will be reformed and improved to ensure the power supply during the
construction and operation phases of Vinh Tan 4 TPP.
A 2*100% freshwater treatment system (256m3/h) will be constructed to
supply water for the activities of the power plant. Raw water will be taken
from the source for the whole Vinh Tan Power Complex. An additional
seawater treatment system with a designed capacity of 680m3/h (2*50%) will
be constructed to ensure the water supply during dry season.
Cooling water is taken from the inside of the breakwater (the north of coal
substation) and discharged to the outside of the breakwater towards the West
of Vinh Tan Power Complex.

Page 7

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Linh Son Tu Pagoda

Ho Dua Mountain

Ca Na Hotel

North-South Railway

Hamlet No.7

Vinh Tan Power Complex

National
1A

Road
Breda sandbar

Hon Cau Island

Figure 2.

The location of Vinh Tan 4 TPP and surrounding works

Page 8

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

A. Physical Environment
Geology and hydrogeology
16. The topography of the projects area is relatively complicated with high hills
and mountains are located in the north and strongly segmented. The regional
topography is described as follows: (i) Lowland in the north includes low
mountains and plains of Luy River basin. The elevation is up to 500m. (ii)
Delta along Phan Ri coast includes marine or alluvial sediment.
17. Water level in the boreholes at boiler and turbine area is usually between 7
and 9 m in the second layer. The level of water at the area nearby seashore
and streams is below 2m. Groundwater at coastal area usually has salinity
and organic content polluted from domestic wastewater of local people.
Hence, the groundwater sources cannot be used for domestic demand.
Meteorology
18. The project area has high air temperature all year-round with an average
value of 27.1oC and the temperature does not change much between months.
Meanwhile, air humidity is low, about 76%; the lowest humidity was found
from December to August owing to low rainfall. Rain mainly appears in
rainy season from May to October and distributes unevenly between areas
and times. During rainy season, the humidity slightly increases. Two
distinctive wind seasons were observed in Binh Thuan province every year
including Northeast wind monsoon (October to April, prevalent direction of
wind is East - Northeast) and Southwest wind monsoon (May to September,
prevalent direction of wind is West - Southwest).
19. Tidal regime of Vinh Tan area is intermediate between irregular diurnal and
irregular semi-diurnal tides; two peaks and two feet were observed everyday
having uneven height. Wave direction is strongly seasonally dependents;
Southwest wave is prevalent from May to September while East wave
dominates from November. Seawater temperature differs between months in
which the lowest temperature was measured in December or January while
the highest was found in April or May.
Ambient air quality and noise
20. Samples for air quality checking were taken at areas where significant
Page 9

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

impacts are expected to happen due to the construction and operation of the
project (at the project site, surrounding residential areas, along the transport
routine, etc.). Accordingly, the air quality of such areas is relatively good in
which all values of TSP, SO2, NO2, CO are lower than the prescribed
standards. Only slight pollution was observed along the Highway 1A due to
poor vehicle conditions and material transport supporting the construction of
Vinh Tan 2 TPP.
21. At the positions of air quality samples taken, noise analysis shows that 6 out
of 8 points has noise level lower than the prescribed value. The exceptions
are along the Highway where noise level is mostly affected by traffic
activities.
Water resources
Surface water
22. In Binh Thuan province, there are seven main river basins including Song
river, Luy river, Cai river, Ca Ty River, Phan river, Dinh and La Nga Rivers.
The total catchment area is 9880 km2 with 663 km length of all rivers and
streams. The water resource distributes unevenly in space and time.
23. Analysis of samples taken at 10 predefined positions in and around the
project area (cooling water intake and discharge points, local streams,
onshore and offshore positions) reveals that surface water in the regions is
slightly polluted by organic matters and oil from domestic wastewater and
wastewater from the shrimp farming ponds (COD value is about 3.4 time
higher than the regulated value at some sampling point).
Groundwater
24. Samples were taken from 6 sampling points in and around the project area
and ash yard to test the quality of groundwater currently. The analysis results
reveal that the local groundwater is contaminated with microorganisms at
some area (higher than the allowable value). It is proposed that the untreated
domestic wastewater from residential area has penetrated and polluted the
groundwater system with its high level of coliform. However, the quality of
groundwater is relatively good in general.
25. Bottom sediments at the project site contain mostly rough sand with particle
size ranges from 0.063 - 2 mm. The further it gets from the shore, the higher
content of fine particle it has. Both heavy metal and Dioxin in the sediments
Page 10

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

are negligible compare to standard of Vietnamese Government.

26.
Soil
27. Soil of the region is employed mainly for agricultural purposes. The soil
samples which were taken at 6 areas in and around the project site and ash
yards indicate low level of heavy metals such as Zn, Pb, Cu, As and oil.
B. Biological Environment
Terrestrial Ecosystem
Flora
28. There are 56 floral species found at the project site belonging to 26 families
and 3 orders. The regional flora relates closely to the South Truong Son
mountain ecosystem, being influenced by 3 main factors: Malaysia
Indonesia flora system with Dipterocarpaceae, India Myanmar flora
system with Lythraceae, Combretaceae, etc. and South Vietnam North
China system with Fabaceae, Euphorbiacea and so on.
29. Along the shore at the project site, there are both artificial and natural flora
systems with Anacardium occidentale, Dipterocarpus alatus, Shorea
siamensis, Sindora siamensi and a shrub layer where Grewia covers 80% the
area.
Fauna
30. The faunal ecosystem contains mostly drought, heat resistant species which
breed and develop mainly in dry season. There are 53 species of wild animal
were found in which animal has 5 species from 4 families (Lepus nigricollis,
Tamiops rodophei), bird has 35 species from 28 families (Egretta garzetta,
Passer montanus, Himantopus himantopus, Artamus fuscus), reptile has 20
and amphibian has 3 species (Calotes vesicolor, Leiolepis reeversi).
Aquatic Ecosystem
31. PECC2 in collaboration with the Institute NhaTrang Oceanography to survey,
evaluate characteristics of coral, sea grass in the Vinh Tan Power Complex
on April 2010.
Seagrass
32. There were three patches of sea grass beds mainly found at the depth of 6 9m. A total of 4 species of sea grass were found in the waters surrounding the
Page 11

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Vinh Tan Complex Site, including Halophila ovalis, Halophila decipiens,

Halodule pinifolia and Thalassia hemprichii. However, current sea grass
degraded by coral mining activities of the people and the construction
activities in the region.
Coral
33. Coral reefs are mainly distributed in the shallow waters along the coastal in
Vinh Tan Complex Site, from the depth of 1m down to 5 - 6m. These reefs
were dominated by dead corals in inner reef and by filiose and braching
corals. Some common species found at most of the study sites included
Acropora nobilis, Montipora digitata, Porites and Pocillopora damicornis.
Dead corals were dominated at all study sites with cover ranging between 5.8
85.5%. The low cover of hard corals found at all study sites may be
explained by degradation of coral reefs caused by dynamite and poisoning
fishing, harmful algal bloom occurred in 2002, collection of living corals for
souvenir.
34. Coral reef fishes: There are 21 families recorded in the waters of the Vinh
Tan Complex Site. Among 21 families, there are Labridae, Pomacentridae
Chaetodontidae and Lutjanidae, etc.
35. Fishes at size class of 1 10cm were dominant at all of the study sites
(average: 184.7 individuals/250m2, occupied with 98.1% of total density).
Fishes of size classes 11-20cm was very low. Larger fishes at size classes of
> 20cm were absent at all study sites. This indicates that resources of coral
reef fishes in this area have been overexploited.
Zoobenthos
36. Mollusks: zoobenthos is mainly Mollusk species with dominated of
Modiolus philippinarum in Vinh Tan water area. However, there are low
individual density from 1 - 17 individuals/site,
37. Echinodermata: This species is low number of species with 372 individuals
with two common species of Echinodermate. These species formed small
patches with abudance ranging between 2 40 individuals/site.
C. Socio-economic Environment
Social condition
38. Population: Vinh Tan Commune has a population of 6096 people in 2011, the
natural population growth was 11.35 . The population growth is due to
Page 12

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

natural birth rate and emigrant. Male ratio accounts for 48.5 to 52% while
women ratio accounts for 47.5 to 51.5% total population of Vinh Tan commune.
Kinh is dominant ethic occupying 99.3% the population of Vinh Tan commune.
The rest are minorities such as Khmer, Tay, Cham. Predominant religions in the
project area are Catholic, followed by Buddhism, Christianity and
Protestantism;
39. Education and health care: overall education levels in Vinh Tan commune are
quite low. Only 23.01% of children from the age of 5 come to school; most
people just finish secondary school level. Up to 65.8% of the population
dropped out from schools. Regarding health care status, Vinh Tan commune
has 02 clinics that implement health care and preventive health programs.
Regularly performing better sanitation hygiene, food safety and
propagandizing for people on food safety.
Economic condition
40. Generally, residents of Vinh Tan commune live on agricultural and
aquaculture jobs such as animal, shrimp farming (550 households), and
fishing. Business and service are additional area and gradually developed
lately.
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
D. Land acquisition
41. The project will withdraw about 38.01 ha in which terrestrial area accounts
for 9.73 ha while aquatic area accounts for 28.28 ha. There are about 13
households having land to be withdrawn in which 9 of them will lose houses
and all 13 households will lose also their production land. These households
will be compensated properly with land and money to recover their living
and production. The project owner will also prepare training section and
recruiting local workforce to work on the construction and operation of the
power plant in an attempt to improve the income and living condition of
local people.
E. Infrastructural systems
42. A new road system is designed and will be constructed to support the
transport of materials for the construction and operation of all power plants
in the Vinh Tan power complex. The current 22kV Lien Huong Ca Na
Page 13

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

power line (line 477.5) will be renovated and upgraded about 19 MWA to
ensure power supply for the power plants. Water will be taken from Da Bac
Lake, which was invested by EVN with the designed flow of 550 600 m3/h
to provide water for the construction of power plants in Vinh Tan Power
Complex. Hence, local water sources are not affected. Basically, the
establishment of the project mostly has positive impact on the infrastructural
system of the area.
F. Air quality and noise
43. Air pollution generated during site clearance period, leveling period and
main construction phase includes dust, SO2, NOx, CO from activities of the
construction equipment onsite as well as material transport on the roads and
at the 100,000 DWT coal port. These impacts are considered as short-term
(during construction phase) and controllable by applying appropriate
mitigation measures. Main mitigation measures include: (i) Cover the trucks
carefully to prevent the release of dust and construction materials during the
transportation. (ii) Water the transport routes regularly and irregularly during
dry hot weather. (iii) Inspect the conditions of transport vehicles, allow only
vehicles with proper certification on condition and air emission. (iv) Wash
the wheels and under part of trucks before letting them moving out of the
project site.
44. In the operation of the power plant, a decline in air quality because of
gaseous plant emissions will be the major long-term adverse impact of the
plant, but this will be mitigated by: (i) the use of high efficiency electrostatic
precipitators (ESPs), which are more than 98% efficient for the removal of
dust; (ii) the use of coal with a low sulfur content and Seawater Flue Gas
Desulphurization (SeaFGD) system with 87% efficient for the removal of
SO2 (iii) a Low NOx for NOx restriction and (iv) 210m high stack heights to
promote higher mixing and to limit ground level concentrations;
45. The particulate matter (PM) levels in flue gas emissions will be less than 150
mg/Nm, below the Vietnamese Technical Regulation (QCVN
22:2009/BTNMT) limit of 170mg/Nm. Flue gas concentrations of SO2 will
be about 350 mg/Nm, well below the maximum allowable concentration of
425 mg/Nm. The NOx emission levels of the plant will be 455 mg/Nm,
well within the technical regulation of 552.5 mg/Nm.
46. Air quality modeling using AERMOD modeling system for atmospheric
Page 14

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

dispersion of stack emissions was undertaken to assess the decline in air

quality from the Vinh Tan 4 power plant and Vinh Tan power complex.

47.

48.

49.

50.

Results from simulated models reveal that the levels of pollutant at all area
meet regulated standards in Vietnamese National Regulations for ambient air
quality.
Dust can also be generated from coal loading/unloading at port as well as
transportation to storage place. To cope with such threat, coal is designed to
be unloaded by grab dischargers and transported by conveyor system along
the port.
Air pollutants emitted from activities of barges and vessels at port during the
phases are not significant owing to low frequency and intensity of vehicle
traffic.
The quality of ambient air under impact of the plants construction and
operation activities will regularly monitored as described in the management
plan to trace the alteration of air quality and prepare proper responses.
Noise and vibration are mainly generated from activities of heavy equipment,
machinery and transport vehicles during all phases. However, owing to long
distance from the project site to residential area, the impact of noise from
projects activities on local people is not considerable and the noise level still
meets Vietnamese regulations. Yet, noise and vibration are still threats to the
health of workers living and working onsite. Hence, mitigation measures are
assigned to reduce such impacts; the measures include: (i) Provide protected
gears for worker (ear protected gears, earmuffs). (ii) Limit working time of
vehicles in daytime not to disturb local people. (iii) Inform local resident
exact schedule of exceptionally noisy activities.

G. Wastewater
51. During all phases, domestic wastewater is generated from workers activities
at various flow rate depending on the number of worker at each stage. In preconstruction and construction phases, industrial wastewater is mainly from
construction activities. In operation phase, wastewater includes cooling water,
chemical-, coal- and oil- contaminated wastewater from various processes of
the plant.
Domestic wastewater
52. Domestic wastewater is produced about 68 m3/day in pre-construction phase;
203 m3/day and 120 m3/day in construction phase and operation phase
Page 15

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

respectively. Such wastewater contains mostly organic matters and

microorganism from daily activities of workers.
53. Septic toilets will be prepared to prohibit the impact of domestic wastewater
during construction process on site. During operation time, this wastewater
will be treated properly by a functionalized water treatment system to meet
Vietnamese regulation on water quality before being discharged to the
receivers.
Washing wastewater
54. The amount of water used for washing trucks and transport vehicles is
estimated at 5-10 m3/day. This wastewater has high value of suspended solid
and potentially contains heavy metals. Therefore, it will impact the surface
water quality and the aquatic ecosystem at Vinh Tan coastal area. Yet, this
impact is insignificant because of low wastewater volume.
Industrial wastewater
55. Chemical- contaminated wastewater with the flow of about 30 m/h and a
diverse chemical composition will affect significantly to environment. Oilcontaminated wastewater generated from production activities with a flow of
about 10 m3/h may spread quickly and form a thin layer hindering the
interaction between oxygen and water. This reduces the dissolution of
oxygen in water causing decrease of self-cleaning capability of the water
source as well as significant influences on regional aquatic life. These
wastewaters will be treated properly at the wastewater treatment system of
the plant.
56. With flow of 50 m3/h, coal- contaminated wastewater contains high content
of suspended sediment. However, this wastewater type is assessed as having
negligible impacts on environment because it can be handled in coal
contaminated wastewater treatment system before being reused in the plant
(moisturize ash, cleaning the coal yard).
Cooling wastewater
57. According to the Vietnamese regulation on industrial effluent (QCVN
40:2011/BTNMT), the effluent temperature must be below 40oC. With the
flow rate of 50m3/s, cooling water of Vinh Tan 4 TPP will increase the water
temperature in area of discharging point of Vinh Tan 4 TPP up to 32-33oC
(increase 2oC compared to the average temperature).

Page 16

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

58. Runoff water once passing by the construction area, plant area or ash yard
will bring construction materials, wastes as well as other liquid pollutants
including suspended solid, heavy metals, chemicals, etc. to the sea. This
contaminated runoff water can also penetrate into the soil to pollute
groundwater. Runoff water will be collected separately by preparing berms to
lead the flow away from contaminated areas. Furthermore, since the number
of rainy days in Binh Thuan is not high and the material storage area will be
covered, the impact of rainwater is considered minor.
H. Solid waste
Domestic waste:
59. Approximately 200 250 kg/day in pre-construction phase, 600-750kg/day
in construction phase and about 400 kg/day in operation phase. Domestic
waste will cause inconvenient smell affecting to local residents, plants
workers and staffs and pollute the environment. The project owner will sign
contract with functionalized organizations to collect and disposed the wastes
properly.
Industrial and hazardous waste:
60. The industrial waste in pre-construction and construction phases contains
mainly concrete, brick and other construction materials at a volume of about
100 200 kg/day and 300 400 kg/day respectively. These wastes will be
collected properly by specialized organizations.
61. Waste from the dredging of 100,000 DWT port which is about 352,720m3 in
construction process and 23076.8 m3 during annual maintenance will be
reused for land leveling.
62. During operation phase, ash will be released at the rate of 137,248 tons/year;
ash will be moved to the Ho Dua ash yard. The project owner will also find
potential consumers who use ash for cement production to reduce the
pressure on the ash yard.
63. The hazardous wastes are rags used for machinery cleaning, wasted oil,
grease and so on. These wastes which are produced in all phases during the
lifetime of the project will be collected and treated properly by specialized
organizations.
I. Ecosystem
Terrestrial ecosystem
Page 17

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

64. The project construction will completely replace the fauna system of the area.
Yet the area has poor biodiversity value with no rare species specified in
Vietnam Red Book. The impact is estimated as unrecoverable but small.
Aquatic ecosystem of Hon Cau MPA:
65. In construction phase, the major impacts on the ecosystem of Hon Cau MPA
are going to happen mainly during the leveling period in which the
development of aquatic species at site will be affected by increasing turbidity.
However, an embankment will be constructed and leveling activities will
only be implemented as soon as the embankment construction is completed.
Also, despite slight enhance of TSS content at the area during leveling period,
TSS level still meets prescribed standard. Overall, the impacts of leveling
activities are short-term and insignificant since dredging work will only be
carried out within the abovementioned embankment.
66. Oil from transport barges and ships is also a threat to the local aquatic
ecosystem. Corresponding mitigation measures include: (i) check on
operating condition of ships and barges before using them for the projects
activities, (ii) prohibit releasing oil and grease to the sea during loading and
unloading period (iii) ships owners are required to sign contract with
functionalized organization to wash, collect, treat washed water responsibly.
67. As a featuring species of Vinh Tan coastal area, the response of coral reefs
against impact from activities of the project is especially concerned. The
leveling and berth dredging processes will permanently destroy coral at the
region; this impact is unrecoverable. However, the coral reefs at the project
site are not in good condition with mostly dead coral, low coverage.
Therefore, the impacts of construction activities on coral reefs are estimated
unrecoverable yet medium and localized.
68. In operation phase, discharged cooling water will increase the seawater
temperature which is expected to significantly affect the livelihood of aquatic
organisms, the ecosystem structure as well as ecological balance. The survey
reports that small temperature difference of 1oC will not significantly affect
aquatic species, coral, benthos or planktons at the area. However, this impact
will be monitored regularly to promptly response to irregular phenomena.
J. Erosion and sedimentation
69. The impacts of dredging, leveling processes on erosion and sedimentation
patterns of the area are not significant. They happen mostly near the working
Page 18

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

site and adjacent area. In operation phase, cooling water with the flow of 50
m3/s will be released to the sea at a velocity of 1.3 m/s so that erosion risk is
not practically possible.
K. Landscape:
70. Transportation to Linh Son Tu pagoda will be harder. Other cultural and
religional areas are not affected.
L. Socio-economics
71. Population structure: population structure of the region will be disturbed
due to strong migration of workforce from other places. The number of
worker is about 1500 people during the construction phase and about 500
people during the operation phase. Conflict between local and migrated
people and risks of social evils are indispensable. In order to control such
impacts, the project owner will put priority on recruiting local workers for
simple works; educate and encourage workers in building good relationship
with local residents; liaise closely to the authority to manage the performance
of workers.
72. Safety and health: risks of health threats, traffic accidents are at high
potential. However, they are assessed controllable by proper management
measures. Among them, adequate training on health and labor safety will be
especially focused.
73. Potential health impacts during various stages of the Project include
transmission of communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS and other
STDs, as a result of the influx of a large labor force. Measures to mitigate
potential adverse impacts include development of an HIV/AIDS awareness
campaign before civil works begin
74. Transportation: traffic density at the area will increase considerably during
construction phase but it is estimated short-term until the construction is
accomplished. In operation phase, the increase is at low level. Waterway
transport is considered to take on more responsibility to reduce the pressure
on road traffic, not to interrupt local peoples activities.
75. Tourist: local tourist is not quite developed so that this impact is not
considerable.
76. Aquaculture: shrimp farming may be significantly affected by temperature
increase due to cooling water discharge. However, the shrimp ponds focus
mainly at about 1.5km away from the high temperature area so that the
Page 19

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

impact is negligible. Also, shrimp farming is planned by Binh Thuan

Peoples Committee to be moved to Ganh Hao Chi Cong area. Furthermore,
the project owner will financially support the movement of nearby mobile
rafts out of affected area.
M. Reliability of the assessment
77. The assessment used various methods for the prediction of environmental
impacts including field investigation, statistics and comparison, modeling,
impacts quantitative system and so on. All the methods are widely used and
performed by experienced and skillful experts. Therefore, the results of
assessment have high reliability.
V. ALTENATIVE ANALYSIS
A. Without Project Option
78. Without the Project, power shortages are expected to continue and worsen
throughout the country, particularly in the Central South of Vietnam. From
2011 to 2020, when hydropower sources account for about 32% of total
generating capacity, meeting load demand will be difficult, particularly
during the dry season. The imbalance between hydropower and thermal
power generation must be rectified to stabilize the power supply. The Project,
which will start in late 2015, will help alleviate this problem and provide the
necessary power supply to meet national socio-economic development goals.
79. Besides, the building of Vinh Tan PC in general and Vinh Tan 4 TPP in
particular will reduce power output transmitting from the North to the South.
This reduces transmission losses and increases safety power supply system.
80. Cancelling the Project is undesirable since an even greater power shortage
would further constrain economic growth and reduce opportunities for
employment.
B. Alternative Site location
81. There are other possible sites where coal fired plants could be located. An
initial two possible sites, namely Vinh Tan, Ke Ga. In terms of location, the
Vinh Tan site was selected for the following reasons: (i) it is advantages on
supplying cooling water with the least capital-intensive method of direct
cooling of the condenser being by once-through cooling water; (ii) building
coal unloading port with capacity of 50000DWT - 10000DWT and (iii)
Page 20

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Utilising valley near project to be ash yard.

82. Master plan of Vinh Tan Power Complex was firstly approved by Industry
Ministry (presently Ministry of Industry and Trade) in Decision no.1532/QDBCN dated 4/5/2007.
83. Vinh Tan 4 TPP was approved by Ministry of Industry and Trade and the via
Decision 1020/QD-BCT on dated 03/03/2012 on adjusted master plan of
Vinh Tan Power Complex (adding to Vinh Tan 4 TPP).
84. The construction of Vinh Tan 4 power plant is very convenient because it
will take advantage of available infrastructure systems in Vinh Tan Power
Complex such as seaport systems, transportation systems, water supply
systems and slag yard.
C. Alternative Fuel
85. As planned, Vinh Tan 4 TPP is located in Vinh Tan PC. Therefore, to ensure
conformity with the general plan of Vinh Tan PC as well as the convenience
of operation and plant maintenance, the main fuel as coal is selected for Vinh
Tan 4 TPP.
86. Based on basis balance of ability to produce coal of VietNam National Coal
Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin),Vinacomin has
confirmed that domestic coal source is no longer ability to supply for Vinh
Tan 4 TPP and committed to provide imported coal for this project
(according to Document No.6718/VINACOMIN-XNK dated 21/12/2012 on
supplement coal fuel for Vinh Tan 4 TPP in Vinh Tan PC). Imported coal fuel
from Indonesia and/or Australia will be chosen for Vinh Tan 4 TPP.
87. Imported coal is sub-bituminous; it has high quality such as low ash content
and high calorific value. Therefore, it is suitable for power plant operating at
high efficiency and the power plant will consume less fuel and provide better
emission and reduce ash quantity. The lower coal consumption of imported
coal can make up for the high transporting cost.
D. Alternative Technologies
88. At present, there are three boiler technologies which applying for large-scale,
pulverized coal-fired power plant, they are subcritical, supercritical and ultrasupercritical. As usual, subcritical power plants operate at steam pressure of
less than 22.1 megapascals and drum-type boilers are used. Supercritical
power plants operate at steam pressure of more than 22.1 megapascals and
once-through boilers are used. Ultra-supercritical power plants have 2% to
Page 21

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

3% higher efficiency than supercritical power plants.

89. Supercritical technology is becoming standard practice in the power industry
in developed economies for large coal-fired power plants due to a higher
efficiency than subcritical technology. The lifecycle costs of supercritical
plants are lower than those of subcritical plants. A supercritical plant costs
about 2% more than a subcritical plant to install, while fuel costs are
considerably lower due to the increased efficiency and operating costs.
Supercritical plants have lower emissions than subcritical plants per unit of
electricity generated. A 1% increase in efficiency reduces the specific
emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, particulates, and carbon
dioxide by 2.5%3.0%. More than 400 supercritical plants are operating in
the United States, Europe, Russia, and Japan.
90. Up to now, the Ultra-supercritical technology is not used in Vietnam due to
the lack of installation, operation and maintenance experiences. In addition,
this technology is also constrained by high capital cost.
91. The use of supercritical technology is selected for the Project and would
provide the higher coal combustion efficiency, lower emission rate of flue
gas and CO2 emission and reduced investment cost for flue gas treatment.
VI. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
92. To properly assess the environmental impacts of the Vinh Tan 4 TPP as well
as evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation measures applied for the
abatement of environmental pollution, a program of management and
monitoring of the Project will be implemented by Project Owner.
Environmental management plan and main environmental monitoring
programme for Vinh Tan 4 TPP is summarized in Tables following.
93. The project management board (MB) will organize and establish a Safety and
Environment section for the whole project.
94. This department will be in charge of carrying out the following functions as
allocated by the MB:
- To ensure operation of the plant and to comply with standards and legal
regulations of Vietnam on environmental protection;
- To cooperate and keep close relationship with local residents and related
agencies (e.g. firefighting agency, environmental protection agency, etc)

Page 22

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

in Vinh Tan commune for environment and safety issues.

- To regularly check and monitor environmental issues, safety and
environmental incidents for whole plant area.
- To draw out plans on managing environment, safety and incidents for the
plant.
- To conduct internal environmental monitoring and supervision.
- Storing results of environmental monitoring.

Page 23

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Table 1.

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Summary of Main Environmental Management plan

Project activities

Environmental impacts

Mitigation measures

Implementation

Pre-construction phase and Construction Phase

Clearance work

Construction
infrastructure
installation
equipment.

An area of 9.73 ha will be Compensation and resettlement program are implemented to Project Owner
withdrawed for the project, support households who are affected by land acquisition for the
that
causes
impacts
on project.
livelihood of households.

of Increase in air pollution, water Limit operating time from 6 am to 10 pm.

and pollution, noise and wastes
During dry days, periodic watering of transportation roads and
of
construction site will be necessary for dust control.
Cover transportation vehicles and loose material storage piles at
site to prevent windblown dust.
Solid waste is classified into hazardous waste and non-hazardous
waste before being reused or transported to landfill.
Oil tanks and chemical tanks are placed in embanked area to
prevent leakage.
Wastewater is collected and treated before being discharged into
environment.
Drainage system is designed to settle suspended solid before
discharged into sea.
Vessels are equipped with oil separators.
Solid waste is collected on board.
Construction
of Impact on Hon Cau MPA.
Build embankment around leveling area with special structure to
embankment and sea Increase in turbidity.
prevent erosion.
encroachment
Impact on flow regime.
Leveling work must commerce after finishing construction of
embankment.
Fixed recovery vessels are installed on sea level to recovery oil
and solid waste produced from barges and construction process

Contractor
Project Owner

Contractor
Project Owner

Page 24

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Project activities

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impacts

Mitigation measures

Implementation

on the sea

Dredging port

Construction labor

Impacts on aquatic biota in Methods of execution must be carried out strictly in accordance
dredging zone
with processes and procedures.
Dredging will only carry out in two breakwaters
Disposal of domestic solid waste, oil sludge and oily cloth to
water sources is forbidden.
Dredged area must be positioned by buoys, signal lights as
follow regulations of marine safety.
Increase in water pollution, and Equipping mobile toilets or constructing septic tanks in camp.
wastes
Domestic solid waste will be collected daily
Sign contract with local environmental service company to
collect and discharge sewage and wastes

Contractor
Project Owner

Contractor
Project Owner

Operation phase
Operation of plant

Air emission,
vibration

Water pollution

noise

and Build stack with height of 210m for flue gas dispersion.
Project Owner
Apply low NOx burner to minimize NOx concentration in air
emission.
Install ESP and seaFGD system to reduce concentration of dust,
SOx in air emissions.
Install CEMS to ongoing monitor concentration, flow rate and
temperature of flue gases.
Green belt planting
Install windshield along coal conveyor.
Spray water during coal unloading process.
Industrial wastewater, Coal contaminated wastewater and oily Project Owner
wastewater will be treated to meet QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT,
Page 25

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Project activities

Ash yard

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impacts

Mitigation measures

category B, Kf=0.9, Kq=1 before being discharged.

Domestic wastewater will be treated to meet QCVN
14:2008/BTNMT, then reuse for acceptable purposes.
Solid waste
For industrial and domestic solid waste:
Solid waste is collected and stored in containers for movement
and treatment.
For hazardous waste:
Owner will prepare documents, registration of hazardous wastes
with the DONRE of Binh Thuan province.
Sign contract with agencies licensed in hazardous waste
business to collect and process
Intake and discharge of cooling Apply technical measures such as screens or high flow selfwater
cleaning aquatic sieve, and behavioral barriers to prevent fish
death.
Cooling water is released by two steel pipe systems 4x4 m,
cooling water temperature decreases significantly due to
evaporation process;
Noise
Build noise baffle wall for turbine and place generator at
separate place
Install noise reduction equipment for high noise level sources
Water
pollution
due
to All wastewater from coal port will be transported and treated at
wastewater of coal port.
the coal contaminated wastewater treatment system in Vinh
Tan 4 power plant.
Collect and classify solid waste (domestic solid waste, hazardous
solid waste) at sources.
Ash management system
Storage of ash in silos and transportation by truck
Water spraying in ash yard to avoid fugitive dust generation
from wind.

Implementation

Project Owner

Project Owner

Project Owner

Project Owner

Project Owner

Page 26

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Project activities

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impacts
Ash utilization

Incidents

Fire protection

Mitigation measures

Implementation

The plant will find specialized customer to consume the ash Project Owner
volume for making the concrete, cement or to produce bricks.

Air, water and soil pollution.

Provide training on emergency response for workers.
Project Owner
Impacts on workers and local Regularly dredge approach channel and turning basin to ensure
residents.
breadth and depth for movement of ships.
Prevention and response measures for spill and explosion of sea
port of Vinh Tan 4 power plant will be carried out together with
Vinh Tan 2s.
Air, soil and water pollution.
Fire protection system is designed with functions such as fire Project Owner
Impact on local residents and detection, fire warning, alert, control and extinction.
workers.

Page 27

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Table 2.

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Main Environmental Monitoring Program

Items

Monitoring positions

Monitoring frequency

Monitoring parameters

Implement

1
3
The pre-construction phase and construction
Ambient environment monitoring
Air quality

5 points

Noise

The same positions as air Every 6 months

monitoring points.

Vibration

The same positions as air Every 6 months

monitoring points.

Water quality

5 positions for surface Every 6 months

water + 3 positions for
groundwater
The same positions as Every 12 months
surface water monitoring
points

Biological
monitoring

Every 6 months

Temperature, moisture, wind direction Project Owner

and speed, TSP, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO.
LAeq: Average level
LAmax: Maximum level
LAN,T: percent level
Vibration velocity
Vibration acceleration
Vibration range.
pH, temp, DO, EC, turbidity, TDS, COD,
BOD, NH4+, NO3-, Cl-, total Coliform,
grease, Cd, As, Pb, Hg, Fe, Cr, Zn.
Phytoplankton (qualitative, quantitative)
Zooplankton (qualitative, quantitative)
Zoobenthos (qualitative, quantitative)
Aquatic ecosystem

Project Owner

PM10, SO2, NO2, CO.

Project Owner

Project Owner

Project Owner

Project Owner

The operation phase

Waste monitoring
Emissions
in Each stack
stack

Continuous

Page 28

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Items

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

Monitoring positions

1
Cooling water

3
At discharging point

Monitoring frequency
4
Continuous

Monitoring parameters
5
Flow, temperature,
Chlorine.

and

Implement
8
residual Project Owner

Ambient environment monitoring

Air quality

The same positions as air Every 6 months

monitoring
points
in
construction phase.
The same positions as air Every 6 months
monitoring points.

Noise

Vibration

The same positions as air Every 6 months

monitoring points.

Water quality

The same positions as Every 6 months

water monitoring points
in the construction phase.

Biological
monitoring

The same positions as Every 12 months

water monitoring points.

Socio
economic

Every 12 months

Temperature, humidity, wind speed and Project Owner

direction, TSP, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO.
LAeq: Average level
Project Owner
LAmax: Maximum level
LAN,T: percent level
Vibration velocity
Project Owner
Vibration acceleration
Vibration range
pH, temperature, DO, EC, turbidity, TDS, Project Owner
COD, BOD, Cl-, total Coliform, grease,
Cd, As, Pb, Hg, Fe, Cr, Zn.

Phytoplankton (qualitative, quantitative)

Zooplankton (qualitative, quantitative)
Zoobenthos (qualitative, quantitative)
Aquatic ecosystem

Project Owner

Project Owner

Page 29

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

VII. CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE

PROJECT
95. The project owner (Vinh Tan Thermal Power Project Management Board)
has required opinions from local authority and related organizations
including Vinh Tan commune Peoples Committee, Fatherland Fronts
Committee, Hon Cau MPA and Association of breeding shrimp of Binh
Thuan province via Letters on May 16 of 2012. All the organizations
basically agree with environmental assessment and mitigation measures of
the project owner. Additional comments can be summarized as follows: (i)
the project owner must implement all the proposed appropriate compensation
policy, mitigation measures rigorously, take on responsibility for accidents
and environmental degradation as occur; (ii) the project must supply enough
information for the residents and authorities, positively contribute to the
improvement of local infrastructure and peoples knowledge; (iii) The project
owner must manage all waste release effectively not to affect the quality of
ambient air, soil and water; (iv) all the organizations basically agree with
environmental assessment and mitigation measures of the project owner.
96. Opinions of local people who may or may not be affected by the
establishment of the project were also collected. Generally, the residents
opinion can be summarized as follows: (i) the income will be decreased due
to inhibition of onshore fishing by leveling activities; (ii) The operation of
the plant throughout the years will affect the local human health; (iii) Precise
information should be delivered to all the residents; (iv) The project owner
should support the improvement of local infrastructure (road, electricity and
water supply systems)
97. Based on the received opinions, the project owner has committed: (i) to
comply strictly all regulations and laws of the Government and
functionalized organizations; (ii) to treat all kinds of waste properly before
discharging to the environment; (iii) to implement rigorously all proposed
measures to mitigate negative impacts on natural and socio-economic
conditions of the region due to the construction and operation of the power
plant; (iv) to support and compensate reasonably for all affected stakeholders
and support the improvement of local infrastructure and labor force.

Page 30

EVN Vinh Tan TPMB

PECC2

Vinh Tan 4 Thermal Power Plant Project

Summary on Environmental Impact Assessment

VIII. CONCLUSION
98. Due to high demand for economic growth, Vietnam is coping with the matter
of power supply, particularly in the dry season. Vinh Tan 4 TPP with capacity
of 1200MW will play an important role in stability of power supply for
industrial, agricultural, commercial and supporting the rapid economic
growth of Viet Nam. In addition, the plant will use supercritical steam
technology, which will provide greater efficiency than conventional
subcritical coal-fired power plants and require lower coal consumption as
well as minimize impacts on environment.
99. The anticipated project impacts were thoroughly assessed. Potential adverse
effects to the physical, biological, and social aspects have been identified for
the construction, and operation phases. In order to mitigate impacts of flue
gas generated during fossil fuel combustion in the power plant on ambient
atmosphere, air pollution control systems included low NOx burner, high
efficiency ESPs, SeaFGD and 210m high stacks are applied. Furthermore,
domestic and industrial wastewater treatment system will be designed to treat
all types of wastewater generated from the plant to meet National technical
regulations before discharging into receiver.
100. All project-affected people will be compensated for their losses and to be
provided with rehabilitation measures, where necessary, to help them
improve on or sustain their living standards and income-generating capacity.
101. An environmental management program which includes mitigation measures
and a monitoring program for Vinh Tan 4 TPP have been developed to
control environmental protection performance.

Page 31