Nghe An's two largest hydroelectric plants are at risk of stopping generating electricity.

Recently, due to the impact of El Nino, heat waves, droughts, and water shortages have seriously affected many hydroelectric reservoirs in Nghe An, with electricity generation output only reaching 30-50%.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant's water level is low and it is expected to stop generating electricity on June 11. Photo: PV

Including Ban Ve Hydropower Plant (Tuong Duong) - the largest hydropower project in the North Central region with a reservoir capacity of over 1.8 billion m³, the useful capacity from elevation 155m - 200m is 1.3 billion m³water. Due to the effects of prolonged heat, the water flowBan Ve Hydroelectric Reservoirvery low. The measured amount of water flowing into the lake at the present time is an average of 35m³/second, compared to this time in 2022 is 105m³/second.

As of 8:26 this morning (June 9), the water level of the lake is at an alarming level, only reaching 156.49 m, 1.49 m from the dead water level. Currently, the factory is operating 2 units, with a discharge capacity of 200m³water/s according to the direction of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee from June 2, 2023, to serve water supply for people to sow summer-autumn crops.

Water level was measured at 8:26 a.m. (June 9) at Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir. Photo: PV

As expected if discharged with flow rate of 200m³water/s until June 11, Ban Ve hydropower reservoir will return to the dead water level of 155m, at that time the hydropower plant will only collect water during the day to run at least 3-5 hours/day at the minimum level. Therefore, if the hot weather continues, the downstream of Ca River will experience a shortage of water supply to the downstream and will not be able to provide enough electricity to the system.

Also in the same situation, the Hydroelectric PlantHua Nain Dong Van commune, Que Phong district, with a capacity of 180MW, the designed reservoir has a capacity of about 400 million m3.³water. However, with prolonged hot weather and very low rainfall since the beginning of the season, the hydroelectric reservoir is almost at dead water level.

Hua Na hydroelectric reservoir (Que Phong) is 1 meter away from dead water level. Photo: PV

A representative of Hua Na Hydropower Joint Stock Company said: “As of noon on June 9, the water level of the reservoir was only 216 m, while the dead water level was 215 m, (the remaining 1 m is the dead water level). Currently, the plant operates 2 generators supplying electricity to the national grid system, with a discharge capacity of 200m³water/s, with a duration of 5 hours/1 day, generating about 0.5 million kWh. As expected, with the above operating capacity, by the end of today, June 9, the Hua Na hydroelectric reservoir will reach the dead water level.

According to the report of the Department of Industry and Trade, the whole province currently has 22 hydroelectric reservoirs, of which the two largest reservoirs, Ban Ve and Hua Na hydroelectric reservoirs, are near the dead water level, and the remaining 20 reservoirs have water levels lower than the minimum water level of the inter-reservoir operation process.

It is expected that by the end of today (June 9), the Hua Na hydroelectric reservoir will reach dead water level. Photo: PV

If the hot weather continues, the hydroelectric reservoir system in Nghe An will face many difficulties, some factories will have to stop generating electricity, not providing enough electricity to the system, especially difficulty in supplying water to the downstream areas.