According to Mr Tran Quoc Lam, vice president of EVNNPT, the aim of the 500kV Son La – Lai Chau T/L and extension of the 500kV Son La S/S project is to transmit power of the Lai Chau HPP and of other small- and medium-sized HPPs in the North West region to the national power network. In addition, the project is developed to ensure the optimal operation and the flexibility of the power network, as well as to meet the load demand of the Northern region and the country.
The project scope includes the T/L component, which involves the construction of a new 500kV double-circuited T/L of 158 km, and the extension of the S/S, which involves the extension and equipment installation of two 500kV feeders at the 500kV Son La S/S.
Regarding to the investment preparation, EVNNPT has submitted relevant documents to MOIT, GDOE and EVN. As of 2nd Aug 2013, MOIT has issued the Decision to approve the FS of the project. EVNPECC 1 has prepared the technical design and submitted to NPMB. The financial arrangement is being implemented by EVNNPT.
However, Mr Lam has also raised a number of problems that EVNNPT is facing. First, the project involves three provinces, including Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and consequently, the route agreement with local authorities, line ministries and departments, as well as the activities of consultants about investigation and design are being processed slowly. Second, the project is classified as type A due to its large scope, so, procedures relating to the design agreement, and appraisal of the project need to be approved by a number of levels of authorities and organizations. In addition, the financial arrangement to ensure the expected schedule is facing many difficulties. Besides, the investment plan has not been approved by MOIT, and consequently, the selection of contractors for next steps has not been conducted yet, especially the compensation activity and site clearance to start the project. Another difficulty involves the increased time due to the appraisal of the technical design by MOIT.
In the meeting, Mr Nguyen Tai Anh, vice president of EVN, stated that this is a big and urgent project that has received the considerable attention from the Government, MOIT, EVN, and the provincial People Committees of Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau. However, the scope of work to be done is large, including the preparation activities to start the project, the preparation of bidding documents, the procurement plan, compensation plan, financial arrangement, etc.
“The above points are key issues to implement the project. In the case that the 500kV Son La – Lai Chau T/L project can not follow the progress schedule of the Lai Chau HPP project, then the Lai Chau HPP will become meaningless. EVN leaders and functional departments will provide the greatest support to enable the project to be commenced in late 2013” – Mr Tai Anh emphasized.
Information about the 500kV Son La – Lai Chau T/L and extension of 500kV Son La S/S project:
- Project type and level: Energy project – Special level
- Total investment: over 4,070 bil VND
- Site location: the T/L’s route passes through a number of districts, including Muong La, Thuan Chau (Son La); Tuan Giao, Muong Cha, Muong Lay (Dien Bien); Sin Ho, Muong Te (Lai Chau)
- Capital sources for investment: an ODA loan expected from the German Government, the domestic credit and the counterpart fund from Vietnam mobilized by EVNNPT
- Management scheme: EVNNPT manages the project directly through one of its subsidiaries, NPMB.
- Project implementation period: from 2013 to early 2016 (synchronized with the generation schedule expected by the Lai Chau HPP)