Vietnam, one of the fastest growing economies in the region aims to become an upper middle-income nation by 2040 and a high-income economy by 2045. However, the country is confronted with a host of water challenges which is threatening to impede its growth prospects. To address these concerns, the Government outlined a National Rural Clean Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy in 2021 which sets an overarching vision for the sector.
Advancing Vietnam’s water management ecosystem
In Vietnamese, “Quy” means “gathering” and “Nhon” means “scholars”. The name Quy Nhon was intended to attract talented people to the city to contribute to a thriving economy. Today, Quy Nhon is drawing not only skilled people but also harnessing innovative technologies to address its growing water challenges.
Quy Nhon's diverse landscape, encompassing mountains, lakes, and scenic shorelines, has fueled a shift from its traditional agriculture, forestry, and fishing-based economy toward tourism and service industries. To accommodate this changing urban landscape and rising population, the Saigon Environmental Technology & Construction Corporation (SENCO) Quy Nhon Clean Water Plant Project (Phase 1) was initiated in 2023, with the goal of providing access to clean water for up to 83% of its residents by 2025.
Phase one of the SENCO Quy Nhon water plant which was inaugurated recently in 2024 is set to bring Vietnam one step closer to its goal. Located in Tuy Phuoc, the plant has a total capacity of 30,000m3 per day before doubling its capacity in 2030. The plant will improve the delivery of clean water for the nearby industrial areas and residential users in not only Quy Nhon city but also the nearby district of Tuy Phuoc.
ABB Drives and Motors to optimize operations and energy savings
“Without enhancing our water security, it will be challenging to grow, decarbonize, or be resilient to climate change. As such, a business-as-usual approach will not be effective. What’s needed are decisive actions to open up to new technologies and to create an enabling ecosystem for innovation,” said Mr. Tran Anh Xuan, Motion Business Director, ABB Vietnam.
"SENCO, one of Vietnam's largest water EPCs, chose ABB's drives to ensure optimal performance at their water inlet pumping station, as well as for filtration, fans, and blowers. The ACQ580 drives allow for adjusting motor speeds in real-time, optimizing processes, and enabling energy savings which fits perfectly with Vietnam's commitment to sustainable operations."
ABB ACQ580 installed at the main distribution pumping station 
ABB ACQ580 installed at the sedimentation and filtration process 
ABB ACQ580 installed at the sedimentation and filtration process
The ACQ580 is a game-changer for water treatment plants like SENCO Quy Nhon. Its dedicated built-in pumping functionalities offer unparalleled efficiency and reliability for motor control at every stage of water treatment. At the plant’s river water pumping station and the main distribution pump station, twelve ABB IE3 Low voltage motors for pumps are installed. By seamlessly integrating with the IE3 motors for pumps, the ACQ580 optimizes energy consumption through intelligent multi-pump control, ensuring only the necessary pumps operate at optimal speeds. This not only reduces operational costs but also extends the pump's lifespan.
ABB General Purpose Drives ACS580 & ABB Drives for Water ACQ580 
ABB ACQ580
Additionally, advanced features such as sensorless flow calculation, level control, soft pipe fill, dry run protection, quick ramps and pump cleaning safeguard against equipment failures and downtime. The ACQ580’s robust design, combined with IE3 motor efficiency, creates a powerful synergy that delivers superior performance, lower total cost of ownership, and a sustainable water treatment solution.
ABB IE3 Low Voltage Motors (160kW) for pumps are installed at the main distribution pumping station 
ABB IE3 Low Voltage Motors (160kW) for pumps are installed at the main distribution pumping station
“The decision to partner with ABB was an important turning point. Their cutting-edge motors and drives have not only optimized our plant's performance but have also helped us reduce our carbon footprint. This is the kind of forward-thinking approach that will propel us towards a more resilient and sustainable water management future” - Mr. Mai Xuan Tien, General Director of SENCO
"One of our most significant challenges was overcoming the status quo and stepping out of our comfort zone to elevate Vietnam's water management operations. This shift in mindset was critical in enabling us to move beyond traditional approaches and embrace innovative solutions that can truly transform the way we manage our water resources," said Mr. Mai Xuan Tien, General Director of SENCO.
Vietnam's growing commitment to sustainability is encouraging the adoption of innovative technologies across the nation's water infrastructure. The SENCO Quy Nhon water plant project stands as an example of this transformative approach. As the nation continues to harness the power of innovation, its water security story will pave the way for a future of shared prosperity and environmental stewardship.
