Wind project food parcels provide Tet festival joy for those in need

Some of the poorest members of a coastal community in Vietnam will be enjoying an early taste of their country’s socially just energy transition when they see in the Lunar New Year this week.

One hundred disadvantaged families in the Mekong Delta town of Vinh Chau received food packages ahead of the Tet festival, in a charity initiative sponsored by the Mainstream PhuCuong Joint Venture.

One hundred parcels were distributed to Vinh Chau’s poor, elderly and disabled in partnership with the local authority and Marine Army force

The gifts, distributed to the poor, old and disabled in partnership with Vinh Chau Local Authority and the Lai Hoa Marine Army force, highlight the commitment to local community in the current development of the PhuCuong Soc Trang Offshore Wind Farm project.

The Mainstream team, including APAC Health & Safety manager Hung Truong and Financial Controller Derek Stokes, together with Le Hung of local partner the Phu Cuong Group, also presented 1,150 face masks to Lai Hoa Marine Army to protect its members on the Covid-19 frontline in Soc Trang province.

Bernard Casey, the group’s Development Director in Vietnam, explained the donations were one example of how the country’s move to renewable energy will help sustain society welfare and opportunities.

He said: “As we progress our Phu Cuong Soc Trang project towards construction stage, we are mindful of our commitment to the environment and bringing benefits to our local communities.”

Signifying new beginnings, Tet is an important time of family celebration in Vietnam, with food playing a central role in the festive traditions.

Hung said: “It’s an occasion for family reunions and lots of joy will be seen during these days. Many people go back to their hometown to celebrate with their loved ones, and people will decorate their homes with flowers and prepare lots of food to welcome guests on New Year Eve and first three days of Lunar New Year.

“We hope that our gifts of food will help these families in need enjoy a better Tet Holiday, especially during this hard time of Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Vinh Chau local authority and Lai Hoa Marine Army highly appreciated the generosity and look forward to more sponsorships in the future to help the community.”

• The 1,400 MW Phu Cuong Soc Trang Offshore Wind Farm is being developed in two phases, with construction of the 200 MW Phase 1 (A) expected to begin later this year. Once fully completed, the project will be one of the largest offshore wind farms in South East Asia, powering more than 995,000 homes and avoiding around 1,220,000 tCO2e each year.