Nghe An: Annual revenue of 380 billion VND from hydropower projects

(Baonghean) - With its terrain and weather characteristics, Nghe An is considered a locality with potential for hydropower development. Nghe An Newspaper interviewed Mr. Hoang Van Tam - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade about the investment situation in hydropower development in the province.

PV:Could you tell me how many approved projects are there in Nghe An at present?

Mr. Hoang Van Tam:In Nghe An province, there are 46 approved hydropower projects with a capacity of 1,401.5 MW. Of which: The National Power Development Plan approved by the Prime Minister has a total capacity of 1,011 MW, including 8 projects: Ban Ve 320 MW, Hua Na 180 MW, Khe Bo 100 MW, Ban Mong 42 MW, Thac Muoi 53 MW; Chi Khe 41 MW; My Ly 180 MW, Nam Mo 1 95 MW.

The national small hydropower planning approved by the Ministry of Industry (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade) includes 24 projects with a total capacity of 287.8 MW and the small hydropower planning approved by the Provincial People's Committee includes 14 projects with a total capacity of 102.8 MW.

The provincial working delegation inspected the Chi Khe Hydropower Project (Con Cuong). Photo: Van Truong

Based on the actual project research process of investors and the planning implementation situation in Nghe An, 14 hydropower projects (35.15 MW) with small scale and low project efficiency have been removed from the planning.

Thus, in Nghe An province, there are 32 approved projects remaining with a total capacity of 1,356.9 MW.

PV:How do you evaluate the current planning of hydropower projects?

Mr. Hoang Van Tam:Nghe An has a relatively rich source of hydropower thanks to its network of rivers and streams with high slopes, distributed mainly in mountainous districts. This is a valuable resource of the province, a clean renewable energy source, which needs to be exploited in a reasonable, effective and sustainable manner. In order to fully exploit the province's hydropower resources, in recent years, with the goal of industrialization, modernization and socio-economic development of the country in general and Nghe An province in particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Provincial People's Committee have directed the establishment of a hydropower planning and have been approved by competent authorities for investment and construction.

For the planning of large hydropower projects such as Ban Ve, Khe Bo, Hua Na, Chi Khe, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has directed EVN to conduct research and appraisal, submit to the Prime Minister for approval or approve according to authority. These plans are researched by experienced specialized consulting agencies under EVN.

In particular, the current status and socio-economic development planning in the basin (especially the issues of water exploitation, use, flood control, etc.) have been updated; research has been done to combine the task of regulating flow in the dry season and reducing floods for the downstream; research has been done to combine hydropower exploitation at some irrigation works. The planning appraisal and approval process has been organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in accordance with the procedures, with the participation of consulting agencies and opinions of relevant agencies. Up to now, most of the projects have been implemented in accordance with the approved planning.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant. Photo: Tung Chi

Small hydropower projects are mainly scattered on tributaries and streams, in the province in areas with difficult or especially difficult socio-economic conditions, basic documents (meteorology, hydrology, topography, geology) are lacking or limited, field survey conditions are complicated...

On the other hand, the investment situation for the development of necessary infrastructure in the area of ​​small hydropower projects is still difficult, there are many places that do not have it, so the project implementation is slow, affecting the management and implementation of the planning. During the implementation process, the Provincial People's Committee has regularly directed to promptly adjust, supplement or remove to suit the actual conditions.

PV:What is the current progress of hydropower construction in the area, sir?

Mr. Hoang Van Tam:Up to now, there are 11 hydropower projects under construction (including: Song Quang, Chau Thon, Nhan Hac, Dong Van, Chi Khe, Khe Thoi, Xoong Con, Ca Nan 1, Ca Nan 2, Nam Giai, Ca Loi Hydropower) with a total capacity of 219.4 MW; 03 projects are implementing investment project preparation and research (including: Nam Mo 1, My Ly, Ban Mong) with a total capacity of 317 MW; 01 project is preparing to start construction (Tien Phong) with a total capacity of 6 MW; 04 remaining projects are under research with a total capacity of 71 MW.

For 11 projects under construction according to the commitment of investors, these projects will be put into operation in the years from 2017 to 2020 with a total installed capacity of 219.4 MW, which will provide a significant amount of electricity, contributing to ensuring energy security, creating revenue for the budget and creating jobs for some workers in the area.

PV:Could you please tell us how the production and business activities of the project that has been put into operation are?

Mr. Hoang Van Tam:Currently, the province has 12 power generation projects with a total capacity of 739.5 MW, generating 2.2 billion kWh/year of electricity to the national grid; annually paying about 380 billion VND in taxes and fees; creating jobs for more than 600 workers, mainly local workers.

It should also be added that the reservoir operation procedures of hydropower plants in the province are all approved by the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. During the operation of the plant according to the approved procedures, there is coordination with the sectors and local authorities to serve the water supply for production, daily life and flood prevention for downstream areas./.

PV:Thank you!

Tung Chi

(Perform)