Installing equipment at Ca Mau Electric Plant 2. A control room at Ca Mau Electric Plant 1. A Vietnamese engineer works with an expert from Siemens Company. Lilama workers install a gas turbine system. Checking the technical equipment at the electric plant. Young engineers at the construction site. Engineer Truong Van Thien, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Ca Mau-Gas- Electricity-Fertilizer Complex project introduces the project. The Ca Mau Gas-Electricity-Fertilizer Complex project is one of the large economic projects in Vietnam. This project, capitalized at about two billion USD, consists of the construction of a 325km-long gas pipeline (including 298km running under the sea) that provides gas for two thermal electric plants with a capacity of 1,500 MW, and a plant producing fertilizer with a capacity of 800,000 tonnes a year. It is invested by Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and is being implemented in U Minh District, Ca Mau Province. Vietnam Pictorial’s reporters had a day’s visit to the construction site of the project and photo documented a modern industrial area which is taking form in the southernmost area of Vietnam. Visiting the area covering thousands of hectares, we witnessed the busy and animated working atmosphere. Truong Van Thien, Deputy Head of the Project Management Board said: “The Ca Mau Gas-Electricity-Fertilizer Complex project is a key national project, which has great significance in the socio-economic development of the Cuu Long River delta. There are many difficulties, such as lack of skilled labourers and locally trained workers and a weak muddy foundation, so we must use new technological solutions, such as vacuum pumps for the management of the foundation. The project is carried out in a remote and sparse area without roads, causing difficulties for the transportation of materials and equipment”.  He went on to say: “When the project starts operation with a capacity of 1,500 MW and joins the grid, it will increase considerably the national electric output. Together with many supporting works, the project will have great significance in improving the material and spiritual life of the local people in the Cuu Long River delta”. Engineer Nguyen Duy Loi, Deputy Head of the Project Management Board of Vietnam Machinery Erection Corporation (Lilama) said: “Lilama is the major contractor of this large project. We have to regulate, arrange the work, tackle obstacles and anticipate the difficulties that may occur. As it is the first time Lilama has undertaken the responsibility as a major contractor it lacks experience and can not avoid shortcomings, so we must gain experience from foreign contractors and colleagues. Surely, through this project, Lilama’s prestige will increase domestically and internationally. The project started on April 9, 2006. After 12 months of construction, on April 4, 2007 the first electricity generated by Ca Mau Thermal Electric Plant 1 was connected with the national grid. It was the shortest construction time of any thermal-electric project in Vietnam. In August 2008, Ca Mau Thermal Electric Plant 1 and Ca Mau Thermal Electric Plant 2 will be completed, which have a total capacity of 1,500 MW, accounting for over 10% of the national electric output”. Neil Reynolds, an expert from Poyry Company who works as chief investment advisor said: “The Ca Mau Gas-Electricity-Fertilizer Complex is built on a ground not favourable for construction, particularly for transporting very long and heavy equipment on a shallow and short river. Through two years of providing advice to Vietnam Oil and Gas Group - the main investor of the project, we have instructed Vietnamese engineers and workers to install and operate the equipment safely. Particularly, Lilama has done fairly well in management, thus ensuring the quality and progress of the project”. At sunset, lights in the plant were turned on, showing a new image of the Cuu Long River delta, where a large complex of modern plants is taking form. Part of the electric plant. Realized by Kim Son – Ha Thai