Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project: Efforts to complete on schedule

Amid the vast mountains and forests, the construction site of the Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project (Bac Ai Tay commune) these days is bustling with the sounds of machinery and transport vehicles. Engineers and workers are stationed day and night, with major and minor items gradually taking shape in the wilderness, demonstrating the determination of the investor, contractors and local authorities to complete the project on schedule.

Strategic project

The Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant has the task of generating peak power with a maximum capacity of 1,200MW to the national power system during peak hours, pumping water from Song Cai Lake to the upper reservoir to store energy during off-peak hours; contributing to flattening the load curve for the power system. The project is divided into 2 investment phases: Phase 1 constructed the discharge outlet complex located deep within the Song Cai irrigation reservoir, which was completed and accepted in March 2021. Phase 2 includes all remaining project items and is expected to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2030.

According to Mr. Pham Thanh Hoai - Director of Power Project Management Board 3 and Project Executive Director, this is a strategic project that contributes to consolidating national energy security and creating momentum for local socio-economic development. With modern technology, the project is likened to a "catalyst" opening a new era for the energy sector. This is a special type of hydropower with the ability to store and regenerate electricity, contributing to load regulation and ensuring power system safety in the context of increasing energy demand. Therefore, from the groundbreaking day, the province has always created conditions for enterprises to implement. Departments and sectors have also been proactive, regularly staying close to the site, promptly removing arising difficulties; listening to the concerns of contractors and people affected by the project. 

Most of the construction units at the site are capable, reputable and experienced enterprises in hydropower construction. Professionalism is demonstrated through each part of the work: from tunnel drilling, machinery operation to quality control of materials, progress, and labor safety. Thanks to this, despite construction conditions in mountainous areas and erratic weather changes, contractors have maintained a stable implementation pace, ensuring each technical milestone according to plan. At the same time, labor safety and environmental protection are always given top priority. The site always has guards and warning signs deployed; workers are trained periodically; emission control, wastewater treatment, and waste collection are strictly implemented. 

Ensuring construction progress

Recently, project implementation units have actively coordinated with the locality to carry out compensation and site clearance work. Thanks to transparent practices, listening to people's opinions, and specifically explaining the project's objectives and benefits, most households agreed, creating good conditions for the implementation process. As a result, land has been recovered and compensation provided to 37 households and 2 organizations. Functional sectors and localities are proceeding with land compensation and recovery for 29 households. In addition, contractors have actively participated in many community activities, helping people better understand the significance of the project and creating bonds between enterprises, authorities and people.

At the construction site, the Project Management Board and functional sectors always maintain regular supervision. Each obstacle is handled on the spot; each contractor's proposal is received and processed; each important milestone is thoroughly reviewed. Construction progress is ensured, with high work volume achievement. To date, many project items have achieved progress from 18 to 99%.

At a recent inspection, Comrade Ho Xuan Truong - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee emphasized that this is an important project of the province, therefore, project implementation units must do social welfare work well, coordinate with localities to propagate and mobilize consensus among the people; during construction, labor safety and environment must be absolutely ensured; strengthen on-site supervision and consider this a regular task. At the same time, focus on doing compensation and site clearance work well; coordinate closely with departments, sectors, and localities to resolve difficulties during project implementation; promptly report to the Government and central ministries and sectors to resolve difficulties. Bac Ai Tay commune must have a plan to promptly coordinate in handling issues to ensure security and order at the project. All for the goal of ensuring project progress, contributing to the province's socio-economic development, ensuring national energy security.

The Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant Project was approved by the Prime Minister in the National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. This is Vietnam's first pumped-storage hydropower project, classified as a Grade A, special-grade energy project. The project is invested by Vietnam Electricity (EVN), with Power Project Management Board 3 as the investor's representative, with a scale of 4 generating units, advanced equipment technology integrating two-way turbine-pump, generator-motor with a total investment of over 21,101 billion VND.

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