Singapore - October 16th, 2014

The Blue Circle Pte Ltd, the Singapore-based renewable energy developer operating in the Mekong region (Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia), has installed its first 100 metre meteorological mast in Ninh Thuan province, Southern Vietnam.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under its regional Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia programme (PFAN-Asia), supported this initiative by supplying all the measurement equipment to be installed for this first meteorological campaign to measure wind energy potential in Southern Vietnam.

PFAN-Asia assists developers in Southeast Asia to mobilise and scale up investments in clean energy. The goals of the PFAN-Asia programme are to mobilise US$1 billion in funds for clean energy investments and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 million tons.  PFAN-Asia provides networking, technical assistance and advisory support to key stakeholders, in this case one of Asia’s premier wind developers.

The project, on which the 100 metres tower was first erected in September, has been granted a renewable energy policy approval by the People’s Committee of Ninh Thuan province for the development of a 30 MW wind farm on an exclusive 542 hectares plot of land in the south of the province.

The installed 100 metres mast will play a critical role in the wind measurement campaign started by The Blue Circle to accurately assess the wind energy resource in the area.  The study will last two years and is expected to lead to a forecasted US$70 million investment in the wind power plants.

The meteorological mast installed by Nam Kinh Trading Services is the first of its kind in South Vietnam at a height of 100 metres and will help by spreading best practises in wind measurement in the whole region. The equipment has been installed in line with International Energy Agency (IEA) recommendations and to The Blue Circle’s stringent specifications.

Dan Potash, Chief of Party of PFAN-Asia: “Working with private sector partners, USAID is helping to carry out bankable resource assessments, leading to significant and sustainable clean energy projects. The Ministry of Energy of Vietnam estimates that there is more than 10,000 MW of near-term economically viable wind power in the country. PFAN-ASIA and USAID believe that it is very important that the first wave of wind power installations achieve predicted results”.

“We are proud that USAID through its PFAN-Asia programme chose to support The Blue Circle initiative in Vietnam. It shows dedication from USAID to develop renewable energy in the region that desperately needs clean power at a reasonable cost,” added Olivier Duguet, Chief Executive Officer of The Blue Circle Pte Ltd.


About The Blue Circle

The Blue Circle is a developer of wind and solar energy projects in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. The Singapore-based company looks to bridge the gap in project development in the Mekong Region by bringing international project development experience, financial expertise and capabilities together with local market understanding. Its growth strategy is twofold: through the development of its own projects and through acquisition or partnership with local developers. By being vertically integrated, The Blue Circle can identify greenfield sites, pursue project development milestones up until financing and operating of the generating assets.    

For further information, please contact: 
 
The Blue Circle
Olivier Duguet   Tel:  +65 62594921         olivier.duguet@thebluecircle.sg 


PFAN-Asia
Daniel Potash Tel: +66 927909923            dpotash@deloitte.com


Sustain Ability Showcase Asia
Ken Hickson  Tel: +65 81397472      Kenhickson@sustain-ability-showcase.com