Solar panels are installed in Truong Sa island district. (Photo: VNA)Solar and wind power is used widely in islands belonging to Vietnam'sTruong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, said Colonel Le Dinh Hai, Deputy Head ofBrigade 146 under Naval Region 4.
Hai, who is also Chairman of the Truong Sa District People'sCommittee, said that the clean energy sources now could meet the daily needs oflocal residents for cooking, and powering TVs, radios and even electric fans atnight.
"Truong Sa is the first district in Vietnam lit up with cleanenergy," Hai said, adding that thanks to the stable energy source,activities on the island became much more convenient than before.
Thai Minh Khai, a local resident living in Song Tu Tay Island,said his family had lived on the island for more than four years withoutfinding any inconveniences thanks to stable clean power supply.
"There is no difference between the mainland and island whenit comes to electric household appliances," Khai said, emphasising thatwith wind power and solar power systems, the living conditions of householdsand soldiers on the island has gotten better.
Before 2010, islands in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago mainlyused diesel generators to generate electricity for daily life and lighting.Electricity powered by dynamometers is expensive, unstable, generates loudnoise and pollutes the environment, so it was usually only used for a few hoursin the evening and when absolutely necessary.
However, in recent years, clean energy electricity systems havebeen installed in Truong Sa which has a great advantage of sunny and windyweather.
Captain Tran The Tai, living in Da Nam Island, said that eversince solar and wind power systems were installed in the island, they can usefreezers to preserve food and vegetables for a longer time. When it's hot, theycan have cooling fans on.
Captain Do Minh Cuong, Chief of Nui Le Island, said that solarpower was very strong and stable.
"The wind and solar systems have a designed capacity ofgenerating 25 kw per hour. We can store the extra power for three days withoutrecharging. We only use 5 kw a day," he said.
Harsh sea weather with strong heat, winds and storms challengeislanders and soldiers every day. They also must maintain solar panels, down toeach screw and wire so that the equipment does not rust due to the saltyseawater affecting the electrical system.
Clean energy systems with modern technology, managed by computers,also require operators to always learn additional knowledge to operate thesystem safely and effectively.
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Danh Hoang, Chief of Sinh Ton Island, saidthat it was difficult for the maintenance team to regularly travel from themainland to the islands to replace components whenever a solar panel or ablower was damaged.
"Soldiers have to learn to fix problems," Hoang said,adding that they first found it difficult but after repairing and understandingthe operating principles of energy batteries and blowers, they could do itwell.
"Regular maintenance and periodic inspection help prolong thelife of the equipment," he said.
However, the harsh climate, sunshine, wind, and salty sea water inTruong Sa have degraded and damaged some electrical systems. At some locationsor islands, clean energy systems were built a decade ago, so the solar panels,blowers or energy storage batteries now need to be replaced and upgraded.
Captain Tran Van Binh from Toc Tan Island said that solar batterysystems and wind blowers that were installed a long time ago, are now just60-70% as effective as newly-installed ones.
"We regularly take care of the maintenance of the system andlook forward to maintenance teams from the mainland to reach the islandsregularly," he said./.
VNA
