EVN and Phu Tho Province discussed the implementation of 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen Transmission Line

On December 13^th, in Phu Tho province, EVN Vice President - Mr. Pham Hong Phuong met with Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee Vice Chairman - Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai regarding preparations for implementing the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line project in the province.

A key national energy project

EVN Vice President - Mr. Pham Hong Phuong stated that to ensure "electricity takes the lead" in serving socio-economic development and people's livelihood needs, EVN has continuously invested in electrical infrastructure projects across the country. In 2024, under the direction of the Party, Government, Prime Minister, with support from ministries, localities, and citizens, EVN completed the 500kV circuit-3 Quang Trach - Pho Noi transmission line in just over 6 months of construction. This remarkable achievement has created momentum and inspiration for citizens, businesses, and the entire political system in implementing key national projects, continuing the country's infrastructure development into a new era. In that spirit, for the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line project, the State Steering Committee for national important programs, projects in energy sector has directed adjustment of the project schedule: aiming to commence construction before April 30^th 2025, and complete construction within 6 months to celebrate the Party Congress at all levels.

Deputy Director of Power Project Management Board 1 (EVNPMB1) – Mr. Do Quang Khai reported that the total length of the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line is 229.26km passing through 4 provinces: Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc. The project section through Phu Tho province is 41.16 km long, with 95 tower locations, total permanent land acquisition of 10.63 hectares, and an estimated 102 households requiring resettlement.

Therein, the section through Doan Hung District spans 22.82 km, encompassing 48 tower foundation locations and requiring the permanent acquisition of 4.9 hectares of land. It passes through 8 communes: Bang Luan, Phu Lam, Phuc Lai, Tay Coc, Ngoc Quan, Yen Kien, Tieu Son, and Minh Tien. A total of 57 households are affected by the safety corridor and require resettlement.

The section through Thanh Ba district is 5.84 km long, comprising 17 tower foundation locations requiring permanent land acquisition of 2.67 hectares, passing through 2 communes (Dai An and Quang Yen), with 32 households affected by the safety corridor requiring resettlement.

The section through Phu Ninh district is 12.5 km long, comprising 30 tower foundation locations requiring permanent land acquisition of 3.07 hectares, passing through 5 communes (Tram Than, Lien Hoa, Le My, Trung Giap, and Tri Quan), with 13 households affected by the safety corridor requiring resettlement.

At the meeting, EVN/EVNPMB1 also informed Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee about the project's land use requirements and forest land use conversion policy.

To timely implement the project with its urgent schedule, EVN/EVNPMB1 will establish a forward steering committee for project implementation in Phu Tho province specifically and other provinces where the project passes through, to coordinate and direct resolution of local issues promptly.

“Focus on solutions, not excuses”

To meet the project's urgent schedule, EVN greatly needs local cooperation in implementing site clearance work. In phase 1, ground clearance is needed for contractors to begin construction from April 30^th 2025; in the next phase, corridor handover is required to complete before September 30^th 2025, to meet project energization and safe operation requirements.

During project design and implementation, EVN/EVNPMB1 recommended that Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee not approve other construction projects within the project's power grid corridor. For power tower locations requiring adjustments or fine-tuning, EVN requested the Provincial Committee assign agencies to flexibly shorten local agreement time for sections requiring adjustment right at the site. They requested the Provincial Military Command's opinion on unexploded ordnance in the project construction area before December 15^th 2024. Additionally, they proposed establishing dedicated compensation, site clearance, and resettlement teams for the project, and arranging resettlement land for households under the 500kV transmission line corridor (estimated 102 households). EVN/EVNPMB1 also made recommendations regarding forest land use conversion, replacement forestation, and temporary forest use plans.

At the working session, representatives from departments, agencies, and districts provided specific comments on issues related to preparing for the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line implementation in the province.

Despite the large workload and many difficulties, Phu Tho province identified this as a key project requiring determined implementation. Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee Vice Chairman – Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai stated that the province committed to close cooperation with EVN to implement the project, with " no excuses ".

The Provincial People's Committee leadership required departments, agencies, and localities to coordinate with the investor to calculate and propose scientific and effective working methods with decisive engagement. They also required establishing a project implementation steering working group with representatives from departments, agencies, localities, and organizations; focusing on site clearance and public communication. A specific schedule needs to be developed to implement and monitor work along the entire transmission line in each district. Additionally, the province requested EVN to assign permanent local representatives to promptly coordinate and resolve project-related issues in Phu Tho province.