Hoa Binh Hydropower Expansion Project: Accelerating construction, ready to generate electricity in August

(Chinhphu.vn) - At the construction site of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant expansion in late July, the construction atmosphere is taking place urgently. Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Power Project Management Board 1 (EVNPMB1) and related units are focusing on organizing safe construction, ensuring progress, aiming to generate electricity from Unit 1 on August 19, 2025.

Construction site of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant expansion, July 2025

EVN's Hoa Binh Hydropower Extension Project has a scale of 2 units with a total capacity of 480 MW, and is one of the key projects in the electricity industry. Installing the units at the construction site is considered a "difficult problem" when having to construct super-heavy structures in a time nearly half shorter than usual. Normally, installing a unit with such a large capacity takes about 7-8 months, but with urgent requirements, the construction units are determined to complete it in just over 4 months.

According to Mr. Bui Phuong Nam, Director of Power Project Management Board 1 (EVNPMB1), to ensure progress, the forces have synchronously deployed optimal solutions: Organizing 3 continuous shifts, mobilizing human resources from other projects, and closely coordinating between construction and installation units. Notably, in the adverse weather conditions due to the impact of storm No. 3, the construction site has not stopped operating, demonstrating the spirit of "not losing to storms".

At the machine installation booth, contractor Lilama10 is focusing on completing important stages such as mechanical rotation, centering, and equipment alignment. The machine's rotor weighs 585 tons, has a diameter of more than 11.2 meters, but requires extremely small installation tolerances - flatness does not exceed 0.02mm/m. This is a key technical factor to ensure stability and equipment life during operation.

Accompanying EVN and Vietnamese contractors, foreign experts from GE Group - the equipment supplier - are also working day and night to ensure the overall progress of the project.

After more than 3 years of implementation, with close direction from the Government and efforts of construction forces, the Hoa Binh Hydropower Expansion Project is preparing to enter the no-load test phase. When completed, the project will not only effectively exploit flood water resources to generate electricity, reducing the load on the existing generator, but also add about 500 million kWh/year to the national grid, contributing to increasing peak capacity and improving the efficiency of power system operation.

Anh Tho

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/du-an-thuy-dien-hoa-binh-mo-rong-tang-toc-thi-cong-san-sang-phat-dien-vao-thang-8-102250730085426049.htm