Clarifying the roadmap to resolve the backlog and consequences of hydropower projects in Nghe An

Determined to completely resolve the backlog of hydropower projects by the end of 2023

At the discussion session in the hall on the morning of July 6 of the 14th session of the 18th Provincial People's Council, term 2021 - 2026, one of the contents discussed by the People's Council delegates and set out requirements for the Provincial People's Committee and related departments and branches was to promptly resolve the backlog related to compensation, site clearance and consequences from hydropower projects in the province.

Regarding the state management function, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Pham Van Hoa admitted that the backlog of resettlement and site clearance for hydropower projects has lasted for many years; this is also an issue that has been included in the agenda of the Provincial People's Council at many meetings.

The reason is due to many complicated factors, such as land and site clearance, which are complicated issues; people's rights; and the responsibility of many levels, from ministries and branches at the central to local levels, especially the responsibility of local authorities - where there are hydropower projects.

The Director of the Department of Industry and Trade also informed: From 2021 to now, the Provincial People's Committee has focused on directing drastically and in early 2023 in the task implementation plan, the Provincial People's Committee determined to direct the completion of the backlog of hydropower projects in the province by the end of the year.

The Provincial People's Committee has established a Working Group (including the Departments of Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, Construction and People's Committees of districts with hydropower projects) to direct, inspect, supervise and urge the settlement of existing problems and difficulties in compensation, site clearance and resettlement support for hydropower projects in the province.

Regarding the resolution of existing problems in site clearance, resettlement land allocation, and compensation for differences in some projects, focusing on two major projects: Hua Na Hydropower Plant and Ban Ve Hydropower Plant; the main responsibility belongs to the local authorities at the district level and the investors.

The working group inspected the field and worked with the People's Committees of Tuong Duong, Thanh Chuong, Que Phong districts and project investors to "finalize" specific tasks and responsibilities to develop an implementation plan with the determination of the Provincial People's Committee to complete by the end of 2023.

Regarding the settlement of issues arising outside the project and flood support in 2018, the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said that after many recommendations from the Provincial People's Committee, especially the recommendation of the National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province, the Government assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to direct the handling and the Ministry assigned the Vietnam Electricity Group to coordinate with the Provincial People's Committee to review all items and values ​​of proposed support. The reason for the review is that since 2018, the compensation and site clearance prices have changed; on the other hand, there are some additional contents and items proposed by localities.

Currently, the Department of Industry and Trade has worked with districts and investors of hydropower projects to review and agree on the contents and items. The Working Group is directing the districts to complete this work soon to report to the Provincial People's Committee; the Department of Industry and Trade is coordinating with the Vietnam Electricity Group and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to soon propose a solution.

The Director of the Department of Industry and Trade also explained clearly the issue of operating hydropower plants in the area. He affirmed that all hydropower plants in the province have operating procedures approved by competent authorities; in which, the two large hydropower plants, Hua Na and Ban Ve, are approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade; the operation of the inter-reservoir is approved by the Prime Minister; and the small reservoirs are approved by the Provincial People's Committee.

During the operation of hydropower plants, all operating procedures are strictly followed and there is regular supervision by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Department of Industry and Trade through the database of live transmission publicly on the electronic information portal and supervision through the interdisciplinary inspection team of the Provincial People's Committee; when there are natural disasters, storms and floods, the Provincial Flood and Storm Prevention and Control Committee supervises. Accordingly, recently, all hydropower plants have complied with the operating procedures and have not had any consequences from the operation.

4 solutions to upgrade power grid infrastructure

In addition to explaining the settlement of backlog from hydropower projects; the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade also clarified the investment and renovation of the power grid infrastructure in the province. Accordingly, in the past 15 years, Nghe An Electricity has focused on devoting resources to renovating the rural medium and low voltage power grid, with a total source of more than 4,000 billion VND. However, due to the large and weak power grid infrastructure, combined with the increasing demand for electricity for daily life and development, it has led to overload.

To address this situation, delegate Pham Van Hoa proposed four solutions. These include continuing to coordinate with Nghe An Electricity to prioritize allocating resources to invest in upgrading the grid infrastructure; strengthening the protection of medium and low voltage grid corridors; promoting the implementation of energy-saving solutions to reduce load; and actively developing other energy sources.