The French Development Agency (AFD) has conducted an on-site survey of the Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Project

The delegation from The French Development Agency (AFD) comprised of 5 foreign experts, 3 experts from AFD Vietnam, and representatives from specialized departments of the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) have conducted an on-site survey of the Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Project (Ninh Thuan)

The purpose of the delegation was to gather information and conduct a preliminary assessment of the project's suitability for funding requirements, in order to propose AFD financing for the project. The delegation carried out field inspections at the lower reservoir area, the discharge structure complex, and the proposed site for the 500kV Substation.

The Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Project is included in the list of power projects approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 428/QD-TTg dated March 18, 2016, which pertains to the Adjusted Power Development Plan for the 2011-2020 period with consideration up to 2030 (Adjusted Power Development Plan VII, ).

The project serves as a backup power source, contingency measure, and system frequency regulation, playing a significant role in the national power system, especially given the current and future operation of renewable energy plants (solar and wind power) with low stability. The main objective of the project is to supply power during peak demand periods, contributing to reducing load fluctuation (flattening the load curve) by utilizing pumping capacity during low-demand hours and generating electricity during peak-demand hours.

The Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Project has an installed capacity of 1,200 MW, employing state-of-the-art integrated pump-turbine and reversible motor-generator technology. The project utilizes water from the Cai River reservoir, which is part of the Tan My irrigation system, as the lower reservoir. Water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir for power generation through two parallel tunnels with varying diameters ranging from 5.5 m to 7.5 m, with a total length of over 2,700 m.

The project is divided into two investment phases. Phase 1 involves the construction of the fully submerged discharge structure complex within the Song Cai reservoir (the lower reservoir of the pumped storage hydropower plant). The discharge structure complex commenced construction on January 6, 2020, and was completed for operation on March 4, 2021, meeting the water accumulation schedule of the Song Cai Reservoir under the Tan My irrigation system, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development supervises.

Phase 2 includes the remaining main works and comprehensive facilities. Currently, the technical design and construction estimate for Phase 2 has been submitted by EVN to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for appraisal. Additionally, following EVN's directives regarding forest land use conversion for the project, the Power Project Management Board 3 has been collaborating with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Ninh Thuan and consulting units to conduct assessments on the current status of forests and forest land within the project area, in order to submit the proposal for the approval of the land-use conversion plan for the project.

AFD's interest in providing loan financing for EVN's key projects, in general, and the Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project, in particular, creates favorable conditions for the implementation of these projects, ensuring adherence to the set timelines.

Source: nangluongvietnam.vn