HCMC – The Government Inspectorate has concluded in a report that Binh Thuan authorities committed serious violations when handing over land within national mineral reserve locations to renewable energy developers.
This conclusion is related to a review of National Power Development Plan VII and its amendments, which revealed several irregularities during the licensing of and land allocations for wind and solar farm projects in the south-central province.
The report said that the licensing of 13 solar power projects within national mineral reserve areas had amounted to a violation of the law. These projects include Hong Liem 3, Hoa Thang 1.2, Thai Hoa, Hong Phong 1, Hong Phong 5.2, Hong Phong 4, Han Kiem, Han Kiem 1, Mui Ne solar farm, and the second phase of Dien Gio and Phong Dien 1 wind power farms.
That the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Binh Thuan People’s Committee approved of the location and construction of the Hong Liem 3 solar power plant in an area designated for titan surveying, processing, and exploitation is in violation of the 2013 Land Law.
Numerous violations have also been found in land use purpose conversions and land leases granted by the province to companies, including Thien Nien Ky, Hong Phong 1, Hong Phong 2, Duc Thanh Mui Ne, Truong Thanh-Binh Thuan, and Binh Thuan No. 8 Electric Construction Installation and Investment.
The Government Inspectorate has proposed the prime minister direct Binh Thuan authorities to reprimand organizations and individuals involved in these violations. The province has also been asked to redeem land wrongly handed over, collect land rent, and recover delayed payments for the state budget.
