(VOVworld) – Installation work of Southeast Asia’s longest submarine cable system began in Phu Quoc island district in Kien Giang province on Sunday. 

The work will connect the remaining 55.8km of 110MW cable between Ha Tien town and Phu Quoc island to the national electricity grid. Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang praised efforts by the Vietnam Electricity’s Southern Power Company to bring electricity to remote areas, particularly islands and border areas to boost local development. He said: “The state’s policy to bring electricity to remote areas has been carried out in recent years. It helps to develop the economy, improve people’s spiritual lives, safeguard national sovereignty, and ensure defense and security.”

The installation is due to finish on January 13 to provide electricity to Phu Quoc islanders before the celebration of the 2014 lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

The total cost is estimated at more than 11 billion USD sourced from the World Bank (WB) and the EVN SPC.