Son La Province - EVN: Accompanying to speed up power projects in the area

Ensuring electricity supply for socio -economic development

In Son La province, EVN has researched and proposed the Son La Hydropower Plant Expansion Project. This is a special project in group A, with a total expected installed capacity of 800MW (including 2 units x 400MW). When put into operation, the project will contribute significantly to balancing the load of the national power system, increasing local budget revenue and creating momentum for socio-economic development of the province.

In recent years, thanks to the close direction of the Provincial Party Committee and the People's Committee of Son La province, EVN and its member units have created favorable conditions and helped them to successfully complete the task of supplying electricity for the province's socio-economic development and investing in the construction of power projects in Son La province.

At the meeting, EVN Deputy General Director Pham Hong Phuong reported on the overview of the power supply situation and investment in power projects in Son La province. EVN and its units have provided stable power supply, meeting the needs of socio-economic development and people's lives. Up to now, 100% of communes and wards in the province have access to the national grid, with the rate of households using electricity reaching 99.39%. In the field of construction investment, EVN has put into operation many key projects. EVN has invested in medium and low voltage power grid projects with a total investment of nearly 760 billion VND in the period of 2021 - 2025. Thereby, contributing to ensuring power supply for socio-economic development of the province and the Northwest region.

The existing Son La hydropower plant has a capacity of 2,400 MW. EVN plans to invest in expanding by another 800 MW and about 1,050 MW of floating solar power on the Son La hydropower reservoir. Photo: VN

Deputy General Director Pham Hong Phuong said that EVN is also continuing to study the plan to build the expanded Huoi Quang Hydropower Plant (scale of 1 unit x 260MW), expected to operate in the period 2031 - 2035 along with 3 floating solar power projects on Son La Hydropower Lake, with a total capacity of more than 1,150MWp/1,050MW, to take advantage of the hydropower - renewable energy potential in the locality. With the role of managing and operating the Son La Hydropower Plant, EVN will be proactive in organizing and implementing investment in floating solar power projects, and will coordinate flexible operations with hydropower plants in the area of EVN (Son La, Huoi Quang, Ban Chat hydropower plants).

In order to implement the investment program and power projects according to the approved plan, and complete the task of providing enough electricity for the province's socio-economic development, the Group recommends that the province continue to create conditions and support EVN and power units in investing in the construction of power projects according to the Plan and the Plan to implement the adjusted Power Plan VIII.

EVN leaders proposed that the People's Committee of Son La province direct departments and branches to promptly update and add the Son La Hydropower Expansion Project to the province's planning and land use plan; support the appraisal and approval of investment policies, and accept EVN as the investor to keep up with progress. At the same time, create favorable conditions for compensation, site clearance, and conversion of forest land use purposes, especially in key power projects.

In addition, EVN hopes that Son La province will support EVN as the investor of floating solar power projects on Son La hydropower reservoir to effectively exploit clean energy potential, contributing to local economic development; consider and recommend to competent authorities to include Moc Chau Pumped Storage Hydropower Project (900MW) in the power planning in the coming period; create conditions for maximum support in compensation and site clearance for power projects, as well as encourage other economic sectors to participate in investing in the transmission grid, in order to share resources for power infrastructure development.

Son La commits to accompany and implement power projects

Appreciating the responsibility and contribution of EVN in investing in the construction of power projects in Son La province, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong said that the power projects and works that have been and are being implemented by EVN in the province have really brought into play great and positive effects on many important aspects, such as: Son La Hydropower Project, Huoi Quang... and the upcoming renewable energy projects. The Vice Chairman of Son La province also emphasized the importance of these projects and works to the province's economic sector, especially in two areas: infrastructure - society and budget contribution.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong said that social infrastructure such as resettlement areas, electricity systems, roads, public investment projects, production support... related to the Son La Hydropower project is very large. Together with other small hydropower projects, it is really a "lever" for Son La province to increase its annual contribution to the state budget. Large and small hydropower projects in Son La have contributed over 2,000 billion VND, accounting for half of the province's budget revenue.

Highly agreeing with the recommendations and proposals of EVN, Chairman of Son La Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Dinh Viet said that the province is implementing many synchronous solutions to improve the investment environment, with the goal of attracting many investment projects from enterprises, in which priority is given to projects that maximize the potential and advantages of the province in renewable energy, including hydropower and solar power.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province affirmed that he will commit to accompany EVN to accelerate the process of promoting and preparing investment in energy projects in the province, especially creating maximum conditions for adding to the province's planning in the coming period, as well as site clearance, investment procedures, etc.

Agreeing with the opinion of Son La province leaders, EVN General Director Nguyen Anh Tuan said that the Group will report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to speed up the investment and construction process of the Son La Hydropower Expansion Project and other existing hydropower plant expansion projects.

Regarding solar power projects, EVN leaders shared that with the advantages of existing infrastructure, facilities and human resources, EVN is fully capable of investing quickly in this field to bring early efficiency to the province's socio-economic development.

"EVN will focus all its efforts on solving the potential for essential renewable energy for Son La province, so as not to waste a single kWh of electricity in this area" - EVN General Director emphasized.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tinh-son-la-evn-dong-hanh-day-nhanh-cac-du-an-dien-tren-dia-ban-10388733.html