Proposed 270 MW Floating Solar Projects Across Hydropower Reservoirs

Vietnam’s state-owned power generation company Vietnam Energy Generation Corporation 1 (EVNGENCO1) has proposed the development of a combined 270 MW floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) portfolio across three hydropower reservoirs in the southern province of Lam Dong, marking another step forward in Vietnam’s efforts to expand renewable energy capacity while optimizing existing energy infrastructure.

The proposed floating solar projects will be installed on three reservoirs operated within EVNGENCO1’s hydropower portfolio, including the 96 MW Dai Ninh Lake project, the 100 MW Ham Thuan Lake project, and the 70 MW Da Mi Lake floating solar project. Together, the projects are expected to represent an investment of approximately VND 4.4 billion (around USD 116,938), according to the utility.

EVNGENCO1 said the proposed developments are located in an area with strong potential for floating photovoltaic deployment. Nguyen Tien Khoa, Chairman of the Board of EVNGENCO1, highlighted that Lam Dong’s existing network of hydropower reservoirs provides favorable conditions for integrating floating solar systems and maximizing the use of available water surfaces.

The company, which operates as a subsidiary of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), stated that the proposed floating solar projects are aligned with Vietnam’s revised Power Development Plan VIII, which focuses on accelerating renewable energy deployment, strengthening power supply reliability, and supporting the country’s long-term energy transition objectives.

Floating solar technology offers several advantages by allowing renewable energy generation to expand without requiring additional land resources. EVNGENCO1 noted that the projects could improve the utilization efficiency of existing reservoirs while contributing additional clean electricity generation capacity.

The utility also pointed to Vietnam’s previous experience with floating solar development as a foundation for further expansion. The 49 MW Da Mi Lake floating solar project, operated by another subsidiary of Vietnam Electricity, became the country’s first floating photovoltaic project to enter commercial operation in 2019. EVNGENCO1 said the project has provided valuable operational experience and a practical reference point for the development of larger-scale floating solar installations.

Vietnam’s move toward larger floating solar projects reflects a broader trend across Southeast Asia, where floating photovoltaic technology has gained increasing attention due to limited availability of suitable land for large-scale ground-mounted solar projects. The region’s extensive network of hydropower reservoirs provides significant opportunities for combining existing water infrastructure with renewable power generation.

Energy research firm Rystad Energy has previously identified floating solar as a technology expected to play an important role in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy expansion, particularly as countries seek solutions that balance clean energy development with land-use constraints.

Regional floating solar deployment has continued to accelerate. In Malaysia, construction began in February on what is expected to become the country’s largest floating photovoltaic project — a 300 MW installation in Batang Berjuntai developed by EDRA Global Energy, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN).

Meanwhile, international technical standards for floating solar are also developing. Norwegian technical consultancy DNV recently released guidelines covering key aspects of floating solar projects, including system design, operations and maintenance, and specialized mooring technologies required for offshore and reservoir-based installations.

As Vietnam continues to expand renewable energy capacity, floating solar is expected to become an increasingly important component of the country’s clean energy strategy by enabling higher renewable generation while making better use of existing hydropower infrastructure.