EVNNPT's Chairman of the Board of Directors inspects and directs the implementation of capacity releasing projects for renewable energy power plants in the Southern Central region managed by CPMB

To expedite the progress of capacity releasing projects for renewable energy power plants in the Southern Central region, from November 12th to 14th, 2019, Mr. Dang Phan Tuong - Chairman of the Board of Directors led a task force from the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) to work with the leadership of the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province to resolve difficulties and obstacles in implementing the projects in the area. They visited the project sites, conducted on-site inspections, and held evaluation meetings regarding the implementation of capacity releasing projects for renewable energy power plants in the Southern Central region managed by the Central Power Projects Management Board (EVNCPMB).

On the afternoon of November 12th, 2019, at the provincial People's Committee headquarters, Mr. Pham Van Hau, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee of Ninh Thuan, along with the leaders of various departments and agencies in the province, held a working session with the EVNNPT task force to address the recommendations of EVNCPMB during the implementation of the power transmission grid projects in the region. During the meeting, Mr. Pham Van Hau highly appreciated the completion of several power transmission projects by EVNCPMB and EVNNPT ahead of schedule, timely meeting the demand for releasing the capacity of renewable energy power plants in the province, thereby contributing to the province's economic development in recent times. Mr. Hau directed the relevant departments, agencies, and localities to actively and closely coordinate with EVNCPMB to promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles, especially in the compensation and site clearance work, as well as the procedures for forest land conversion, to expedite the progress of the ongoing projects.

The task force conducted on-site inspections at the 220kV Thap Cham Substation Capacity Upgrade Project, which successfully energized on November 9th, 2019, exceeding EVN's assigned schedule by one year. They also visited the proposed locations for the construction of the 220kV Ninh Phuoc Substation (in Phuoc Huu commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province) and the 500kV Thuan Nam Substation (in Phuoc Ha commune, Thuan Nam district, Ninh Thuan province). Additionally, they inspected the construction work at tower foundations VT165-174 (in Bac Phong commune, Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province) and VT37 (in Dien Lac commune, Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province) along the 220kV Nha Trang - Thap Cham transmission line.

During the evaluation meeting on the progress of capacity releasing projects for the renewable energy power plants in the Southern Central region held on November 14th, 2019, chaired by Mr. Dang Phan Tuong, EVNNPT's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuyen, Director of EVNCPMB, reported that EVNCPMB was assigned to carry out nine projects. To date, one project, the 220kV Thap Cham Substation Capacity Upgrade, was completed on November 9th, 2019, one year earlier than planned. The remaining projects are being implemented according to the schedule. However, numerous difficulties and obstacles must be resolved, especially regarding compensation for land clearance and forest land conversion procedures. EVN will make every effort to overcome these obstacles and ensure the progress of the projects.

Mr. Le Cao Quyen, Deputy General Director of Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company 4 (EVNPECC4), presented an overview of the power grid in the Southern Central region based on the Power Development Plan VII, revised Power Development Plan VII and additional projects approved by the Prime Minister. He also discussed the current and future development of renewable energy sources in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, the capacity of the power transmission and distribution grid to accommodate the capacity releasing for renewable energy power plants, and the necessary investment in the construction of the power transmission and distribution grid to enhance the capacity for accommodating renewable energy sources in the coming years.

Mr. Quyen emphasized that in recent years, renewable energy sources have experienced significant development, especially in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces. Currently, 41 renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 2,144 MW are operating in these two provinces. The construction of power transmission projects to accommodate the clearance of renewable energy sources is crucial and has garnered attention from the government, ministries, sectors, and society. Renewable energy sources have yet to reduce their generation capacity due to transmission grid overload. The transmission grid has sufficient capacity to transmit electricity generated by renewable energy sources.

The 220kV and 500kV transmission grids managed and operated by EVNNPT currently ensure safe, continuous, and stable operation, fully accommodating the capacity of renewable energy sources connected directly to the 220kV grid and the capacity of renewable energy sources stepping up from the 110kV to the 220kV and 500kV grids of EVNNPT. The transformers and transmission lines operate at a load lower than their rated capacity. However, to meet the demand for accommodating the capacity of upcoming renewable energy sources, EVNNPT needs to ensure the progress of ongoing projects. To expedite the implementation process and ensure the timely completion of projects, Mr. Dang Phan Tuong assigned tasks to EVNNPT's departments, including expediting investment preparation procedures and implementation, updating the progress of projects being implemented by Power Companies, calculating to meet the capacity releasing needs of renewable energy power plants that will be operational in the future, including direct connection to the 220kV grid and stepping up from the 110kV to the 220kV and 500kV grids. They were also tasked with reviewing and recommending additional planning and management tasks for transmission projects necessary to accommodate the capacity releasing of renewable energy power plants in the coming years.

The Chairman of the EVNNPT requested that EVNCPMB focus intensively to ensure the timely completion of projects, especially the 220kV Ninh Phuoc Substation and its connection, the 500kV Van Phong Substation, and the 500kV Van Phong - Vinh Tan transmission line. They were instructed to closely coordinate with the People's Committees of the provinces, ministries, departments, and the Government Office to expedite procedures and approve the forest land conversion policy.

Mr. Dang Phan Tuong assigned Electricity Transmission Company 3 to provide support and close coordination with EVNCPMB in site clearance compensation and project implementation and ensure the quality of supervision and timely acceptance of projects. Due to the importance of these projects, construction contractors were urged to concentrate their resources, equipment, and machinery to meet the construction schedules and work closely with EVNCPMB. Consulting contractors were encouraged to enhance the quality of surveying and engineering work and closely follow the competent authorities to expedite the project review, appraisal, and approval processes. Supervising consulting contractors were urged to focus on timely supervision and acceptance to ensure the quality and progress of projects and proactively encourage construction contractors to expedite construction and installation progress.

Some images of the EVNNPT task force at the construction site: