It is estimated that even when Vietnam completes the electrification process, the national electricity grid will still not be able to reach out very remote areas. Small scaled hydropower, solar and wind-used power prove to be the suitable solutions to the problem.

Wind power engines have appeared in many corners in the world, but not yet in Vietnam. However, Vietnamese scientists from the Hanoi Technologies University still dream of producing a “made in Vietnam” wind power engine. Their project has been approved after its feasibility and reasonable cost were proved.

When asked why there should be a “made in Vietnam” wind power engine, Associate Prof Dr Nguyen Phung Quang, Deputy Director General of the Centre of High-tech Research and Development said that a non-Vietnam made wind power engine would be very expensive, especially when considering that it is unaffordable for remote and poor areas. In addition, the technology transfer and installation would be very difficult due to the issues relating to the intellectual property right protection.

Mr Quang also stressed that if Vietnam continues importing wind power engines, it will never have its own technology for wind power.

Begun in 2004, Vietnamese scientists have obtained initial achievements. A wind power engine has been made and put into operation in trial period and has shown satisfactory results.

In December 2006, the 20KW wind power engine made in Vietnam was put into operation in the trial period at the Tam Tien guest house in Nui Thanh in the central province of Quang Nam.

Scientists said that an independent 20KW wind power engine can provide enough electricity for a farm or 10 households. Besides, the engine made by the scientists can use the solar energy as well, suitable to all conditions of the weather.

As the engine has been Vietnamised in design and production, the equipment is not only cheap but also user friendly. The engine has been operating for a couple of weeks without the interference of engineers. Like other machineries with simple and stable designs, the users now can operate the engine as they want.

Mr Quang said that the engine can be tele-supervised and operated. Through the telephone line, experts can instruct the users to repair and fixed troubles, while they do not have to come to the spot.

The success of the project on first ever wind power engine has drawn the attention of many enterprises and individuals.

Mr Quang said that the scientists had to import several parts for the engine, but they will make further research in order to replace all the imported parts with domestic made accessories, which will help make the production cost several times lower. 

The investment capital for making the first product was VND2.2bil ($0.13mil), lower than the price of a foreign made product. However, Mr Quang said that the production cost would be much lower in mass production. The price would reduce to 2/3 of the initial price if producing 2-3 units at once.

Phuoc Ha