EVNCPC: 50 years of lighting up the Central Highlands

(Chinhphu.vn) - Starting with a few small diesel generators and hydroelectric power plants, after half a century, the Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC) has become the main unit supplying electricity to the Central Highlands - Central region.

EVNCPC's power grid system has lit up 100% of communes, wards, villages and hamlets with more than 99.91% of households having electricity.

On the afternoon of October 7, the Central Power Corporation held a ceremony to celebrate its 50th anniversary (October 7, 1975 - October 7, 2025).

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ngo Tan Cu, General Director of EVNCPC, said that 50 years ago, right after the South was completely liberated and the country was unified, the Central Power Corporation - formerly the Central Power Company - was established. At that time, the "gut" of the Central region had experienced thirty years of brutal war, leaving behind an exhausted economy and small, scattered, and lacking power facilities. The investment capital was meager, only 3.4% of the total investment capital of the national electricity sector.

A series of challenges surround: poor, outdated infrastructure; constant power shortages, rotating power cuts. This situation has seriously hindered economic development and greatly affected people's lives.

In that context, the first electricians of the Central region faced countless difficulties, working in poor conditions, with rudimentary tools, but carrying within them an iron will and a burning desire: how to have electricity to serve production and serve the people.

Faced with the electricity stress, the leaders of Electricity Company 3 at that time made strategic decisions, opening a new development phase for the electricity industry in the Central region. From 1988 to 1990, the power source in the Central region was supplemented with 74 diesel generators, contributing to solving the local power shortage.

In particular, a historic project has completely changed the face of the national electricity industry - the 500kV North - South line: The project was started in April 1992 and completed phase 1 in May 1994. On May 27, 1994, the national electricity system was energized at the 500kV Da Nang station, bringing electricity from Hoa Binh to Ho Chi Minh City.

And on September 19, 1994, the Central region officially received electricity from the national power system through the 500kV Da Nang station. This event not only opened up the energy flow throughout the three regions but also created an important driving force for the rural electrification process in the Central Highlands - Central region, a real revolution that brought light to remote and isolated areas.

EVNCPC has brought national grid electricity to Ly Son island.

On February 5, 2010, the Ministry of Industry and Trade decided to establish the Central Power Corporation under EVN on the basis of converting the operating model of Power Company 3. This is an important turning point, marking the remarkable growth and strong transformation, from a local company, EVNCPC has become a national-scale Corporation.

Inheriting and promoting the achievements of the past 50 years, EVNCPC has continuously developed in terms of scale, system, capacity, output and application of new technology. If in the past, having electricity was a dream, today, electricity has become an indispensable part of life. EVNCPC's power grid system has reached 100% of communes, wards, villages and hamlets with more than 99.91% of households having electricity, the total number of electricity customers is approximately 5 million customers.

EVNCPC General Director shared that in the minds of electricians in the Central region, there is always a concern: how to bring electricity to the islands to light up the frontier lands of the Fatherland. With the attention of the Party and the State, EVNCPC has successfully implemented many projects to bring electricity to the sea and islands, contributing to promoting the marine economy, improving people's lives and ensuring sovereignty. The submarine cable system has brought the national grid to Ly Son Island (2014), Cu Lao Cham (2016), Nhon Chau (2020). Con Co Island in particular has been supplied with electricity 24/24 from a solar power system combined with diesel generators since 2017.

Crossing floodwaters to restore power grid after storms.

The Central Highlands region is a region that often suffers from natural disasters and storms and floods. In the most difficult times, the image of workers spreading out on all roads right after the storm has passed, while the rain has not yet stopped, wading in the muddy floodwaters to erect poles, connect wires... quickly restoring light to each house and each street has become a touching symbol of the courage and sense of responsibility of the Central region's electricity workers and officials.

After 50 years from a small unit, today EVNCPC has become the energy pillar of the Central Highlands, making an important contribution to the implementation of socio-economic development goals, ensuring national security and defense and improving people's lives. With its persistent contributions over the past 50 years, EVNCPC has been honored to receive many noble awards from the Party and the State.

Nhat Anh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/evncpc-50-nam-thap-sang-nhung-vung-dat-mien-trung-tay-nguyen-102251007181032102.htm