Strong development of power sources

(Baonghean) - Currently, there are 8 hydropower projects operating in Nghe An province with a total capacity of 668.5 MW and a production of 2,273 million kWh. In the near future, several more hydropower projects will come into operation. Thus, with the strong development of electricity sources from the hydropower sector, the province of Nghe An will be able to meet the electricity growth rate in the coming years.

According to assessments by relevant authorities, most hydropower projects in Nghe An province have been operating effectively after investment completion. The Ban Ve Hydropower Project (Tuong Duong district) currently leads in operating capacity (320 MW) (invested by Vietnam Electricity Corporation). In 2009, this important project was basically completed with a total investment of 5,921 billion VND, and in 2010 it began commercial operation, generating nearly 320 million kWh for the national grid. After commissioning two generating units, it generated 1,130 million kWh for the national grid in 2011. From 2012 to 2013, it consistently supplied 1,300 million kWh annually. Thus, after completion and commissioning, the Ban Ve hydropower plant has been operating stably, with a total electricity output of 4,050 million kWh. The Ban Ve hydropower project has made a significant contribution to the national electricity supply, helping to alleviate electricity shortages.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant Operations Center (Tuong Duong).

Following the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant, another major project that attracted the attention of all levels of government, sectors, and the public was the Hua Na Hydropower Project (Que Phong), invested by the Vietnam Oil and Gas Power Corporation, with a capacity of 180 MW. After a period of construction, Hua Na Hydropower Joint Stock Company achieved its electricity generation target in the first quarter of 2013. On October 10, 2013, the company completed its electricity production plan nearly three months ahead of schedule (504 million kWh). On November 1, 2013, the plant officially joined the competitive electricity generation market as regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Thus, with the project completed ahead of schedule, the Hua Na Hydropower Plant will have favorable conditions to exceed the assigned plan, and it is expected that by the end of 2013, electricity production will reach 633 million kWh (exceeding the plan by approximately 25%). A representative of Hua Na Hydropower Joint Stock Company stated: “To date, the plant's management and operation have been safe and efficient. The company's management and operation personnel have basically mastered the equipment and technology and are coordinating well in the competitive market, balancing and meeting electricity production demands...”

In 2014, the Hua Na Hydropower Plant projected a commercial electricity output of approximately 646 million kWh. To achieve this goal, the company continued to improve its organizational structure to ensure it met production and business requirements. Particular attention was paid to organizing the safe and efficient operation of the plant, promptly meeting electricity demand, and carrying out maintenance on equipment, machinery, reservoirs, and dams. The Khe Bo Hydropower Project (Tuong Duong), with a capacity of 100 MW, began trial operation and commercial power generation in September 2013. To date, after nearly four months of operation, it has contributed nearly 320 million kWh to the national power grid.

Mr. Bui Xuan Hung, Head of the Power Management Department of the Department of Industry and Trade, stated: “In recent years, with the completion and commissioning of many hydropower projects, our province has rapidly increased the amount of electricity supplied to the national grid. In 2010, the output was only over 324 million kWh, in 2012 it reached over 1,392 million kWh, and in 2013, with 8 hydropower projects operating with a total capacity of 668.5 MW, the total electricity output reached 2,273 million kWh. These hydropower projects, after completion and commissioning, have contributed a large amount of electricity to the nation, actively helping to alleviate electricity shortages.” Currently, several projects are in the investment and construction phase in our province, and in 2014, it is expected that the Suoi Choang, Ca Loi, Nam Non, and Song Quang hydropower projects will be completed with a total capacity of 36.9 MW. In 2015, approximately 5 hydropower projects will be completed...

According to the Nghe An Power Development Plan forecast for the period 2011-2015, the electricity growth rate is approximately 17.6%, and for the period 2016-2020 it is 17.2%. Such high growth rates are due to the socio-economic development needs of the province, especially the formation of large-scale production projects in the Southeast Economic Zone, Dong Hoi, and projects in Western Nghe An... Therefore, the development of hydropower sources will meet the electricity growth rate in Nghe An in the coming years.

Hoang Vinh