Nghe An rectify existing problems and effectively operate hydroelectric projects

Ensuring safety in exploitation and operation

Currently, in Nghe An, there are 21 hydropower plants in operation with a total capacity of 930.9 MW, including: Ban Ve, Hua Na, Khe Bo, Ban Canh, Ban Coc, Sao Va, Nam Pong, Ban Ang, Nam Mo, Nam Non, Chi Khe, Dong Van, Ca Loi, Nam Can 2, Ca Nan 1, Ca Nan 2, Chau Thang, Xoong Con, Nhan Hac A+B, Song Quang, Khe Thoi. In addition, there are 03 projects with a total capacity of 76 MW under construction, including: Chau Thon, Suoi Choang, Ban Mong. 01 project is being considered by the Provincial People's Committee for water storage: Nam Giai (4 MW).

Implementing Decision No. 3554/QD-UBND dated September 30, 2021 of the Provincial People's Committee, recently, the Interdisciplinary Delegation (including representatives of the Departments of Industry and Trade, Construction, Planning and Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment) inspected the investment, construction and operation of hydropower projects and works in the province.

Canan Hydroelectric Dam in Ky Son. Photo TH

Through monitoring and inspection, the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team assessed that the hydropower reservoirs (except for the content on dam safety assessment, Ban Ve hydropower reservoir under the authority of the Ministry of Industry and Trade) basically complied with the provisions of the Law on Irrigation, Law on Water Resources and Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

The operation of hydroelectric reservoirs during the rainy and stormy season must comply with the regulations in the single reservoir and inter-reservoir procedures. The operation of the reservoir must ensure the minimum flow as prescribed in the surface water exploitation license issued by the competent authority.

During the operation process, hydropower dam owners in the province have basically complied with the regulations on dam safety management. At the time of inspection, visually, no signs of unsafety for the dam and reservoir were detected; instructions from all levels in natural disaster prevention and control were well implemented; regulations on investment management and construction quality management were basically fully implemented. Construction items were organized to have periodic inspection and maintenance plans according to the regulations in the maintenance process of construction items issued by the Company. All inspection and maintenance work after implementation was recorded and evaluated to monitor the status of the project, ensuring safety during exploitation and operation.

Interdisciplinary inspection team at Khe Bo Hydropower Plant, Tuong Duong. Photo: TH

Hydropower projects in the province are all granted Investment Certificates by the Provincial People's Committee or the Department of Planning and Investment, ensuring that the documents and procedures comply with the provisions of the Investment Law 2014, Decree No. 118/2015/ND-CP dated November 12, 2015 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Investment Law. The projects have been completed and put into use, ensuring the approved progress. The factories under construction (Suoi Choang, Ban Mong) have had their Investment Certificates extended according to regulations.

Chau Thon Hydropower Project is in the process of completing procedures for extension. Implementing boundary markers to determine the protection area of ​​hydropower dams according to Decree 114/2018/ND-CP on safety management of dams and reservoirs in accordance with regulations. Basically implementing the provisions of the Surface Water Exploitation License and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Suoi Choang Hydropower Plant (Chau Khe, Con Cuong) is under construction. Photo: TH

At the time of inspection, the conversion of forest use to other purposes had been carried out by 24/25 units (Suoi Choang Hydropower Plant in Chau Khe Commune, Con Cuong District is in the process of conversion). 21 operating plants have paid annual forest environmental service fees.

Resolutely handle the shortcomings

However, currently, hydroelectric reservoirs under the inter-reservoir operation process need to adjust the single-reservoir operation process, and investors are slow in implementing it (Khe Bo, Hua Na, Nhan Hac A+B, Chau Thang). The Ca Loi, Xoong Con, and Ca Nan 2 plants have operating processes that are no longer suitable for the actual situation and need to be adjusted. The Ca Loi hydroelectric dam is due but has not been inspected; Ban Coc, Chau Thang, Khe Bo, and Chi Khe plants have not fully implemented the regulations in the operating process during the flood season; there are no operating orders but only flood discharge notices; Ban Canh, Chau Thang, Nam Can 2, Ca Loi, Xoong Con, Sao Va, Dong Van, Hua Na, and Ban Coc have not fully implemented the reports before and after the flood season as prescribed in the operating process.

There are still some factories that have not fully complied with the regulations in the operating procedures during the flood season; there are no operating orders but only flood discharge notices. Photo: TH

Hydropower plants with downstream areas affected by flooding of a dam (Ban Canh, Nam Can 2, Sao Va, Ban Coc, Xoong Con, Ca Loi) have not yet developed and approved flood maps for downstream areas of hydropower dams as a basis for submitting to competent authorities for approval of Emergency Response Plans.

In addition to the Nam Mo, Nam Non, Ban Ang, Hua Na factories, the remaining ones arrange materials and equipment to serve the dam and reservoir protection plan; Plandisaster prevention; Flood prevention plan for downstream areas; Emergency response plan is not complete according to the provisions of the approved plans, violating Decree No. 134 on administrative sanctions in the fields of electricity, hydroelectric dam safety, and economical and efficient use of energy.

Interdisciplinary inspection team working at Nhan Hac hydropower plant. Photo: TH

Most dam and reservoir owners have not yet made plans and coordinated with local authorities and local disaster prevention and control committees to conduct drills according to approved plans. Labor safety assurance work at some factories has not been guaranteed, such as: Some locations have risks of labor safety but do not have warning signs or protective railings as prescribed. In addition, most of the disaster response plans of hydropower plants have not been built and approved with full content and specific situations, violating the provisions of Article 22 of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

Mr. Tran Thanh Hai - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, Head of the interdisciplinary inspection team said: Through the inspection, we request the owners and investors of the dam,hydroelectric reservoirPower generation operations in the province must comply with current regulations. Continue to strictly implement the provisions of Decree 114/2018/ND-CP dated September 4, 2018 of the Prime Minister and Circular 09/2019/TT-BCT dated July 8, 2019 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade regulating the safety management of dams and hydroelectric reservoirs. Prepare forces, means and equipment according to the "4 on-site" motto to handle situations when they occur, absolutely do not let passivity or surprise happen in any situation, especially in areas with high risk of flash floods and landslides; promptly detect and handle incidents to ensure safety.

The construction of large hydroelectric projects is necessary and brings great efficiency to the economy. In the photo: Ban Ve Hydroelectric Plant has a designed capacity of 320 MW. Photo: TH

The delegation requested strict implementation of approved plans; single reservoir and inter-reservoir operation procedures and other relevant regulations that have been approved to ensure safety during operation. During the operation of the project, regularly inspect and monitor project items to ensure absolute safety during operation; report and immediately handle risks that cause unsafety to the dam and reservoir.

Mr. Tran Thanh Hai - Deputy Director of Department of Industry and Trade, Head of the interdisciplinary inspection team

To ensure operational safety, the Interdisciplinary Delegation requested relevant departments and branches: Industry and Trade, Construction, Planning and Investment, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development to continue to perform well their assigned duties and responsibilities. People's Committees of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Que Phong, Quy Chau, Quy Hop districts: Strengthen inspection and closely monitor the implementation of reservoir operation procedures, warnings and safety for downstream areas. Check the implementation of approved plans; Review vulnerable locations, at risk of landslides and flash floods in the hydropower project area to include in the district's annual natural disaster prevention and control plan and plan.

Implement well the coordination regulations between local authorities and dam and reservoir owners in operating reservoirs according to approved procedures. Direct the People's Committees of communes above the reservoir to inspect and propagate to people who throw household waste floating on the reservoir, strictly prohibit organizations and individuals from exploiting planted forests to let it float down to the reservoir.

At the same time, investors are required to overcome the shortcomings after inspection and report the implementation results to the Department of Industry and Trade for consideration and direction.