Son La Hydropower Plant, the largest hydropower project in Southeast Asia, with a capacity of 2,400 MW, supplies over 8 billion kWh of electricity to the national power system each year. Since it was officially put into operation in 2012, the plant has become an energy security fulcrum for the whole country, while helping to regulate floods and develop the economy of the Northwest region.
Behind that power line are hundreds of people working silently, day and night attached to this project. Currently, Son La Hydropower Company has nearly 350 officers, engineers and workers. Of which, more than 70% are people from the plains working long-term, away from home. They live mainly in a dormitory next to the factory. Every day, people who are not in the dormitory have to take a bus home to take them through the mountain roads after each shift.
"The special job is to work in shifts, operating 24/7. The brothers divided into 3 shifts, 4 teams, each shift 8 hours, there were no days off, even during the holidays - Mr. Vu Duc Luong, Head of the Center's operations shared.
In the central control room, engineers and workers are highly focused, monitoring hundreds of operating parameters through a modern screen system. Just a small technical error can cause a major problem, affecting the national power system. Therefore, this work is not allowed to be subjective, even if it is the most familiar operations" - Mr. Luong said.
In addition to the control shift, the repair and maintenance teams are always on duty. Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, a mechanical maintenance worker, said: " Maintaining the apparatus, checking turbines, water valves, or electrical systems are all jobs that require absolute care. Especially when the factory has been in operation for nearly 15 years, every component, no matter how small, must be carefully controlled".
Young people who are holding great responsibility in hydropower projects are also the core force in innovation. Every year, dozens of technical innovation initiatives are applied in practice, many of which are recognized by EVN.
Engineer Nguyen Manh Cuong - Head of operations - is one of the typical faces that the brothers call the "3 reps" electrical engineer at the largest hydropower plant in Southeast Asia. He has had 6 initiatives applied, and won first prize in the Lai Chau Provincial Technical Innovation Contest in 2022. Despite the pressure of work, he still tries to balance work and family.
"My first daughter unfortunately suffered from a congenital disease. It is difficult, but I always try to complete the assigned tasks well and also spend time taking care of my family" - Mr. Cuong shared.
Not only the story of equipment operation, the workers and engineers here also bring many unforgettable memories. Mr. Dang Quang Trung, an operator, will always remember the time he met General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong when he visited the factory in 2014. "You are very approachable and simple. His words of encouragement have motivated us to strive until today" - Mr. Trung said.
Working here is hard and inevitable, but in return, I am able to contribute and work with the right passion. Seeing the electricity line brightening up everywhere makes me feel that all the fatigue is worth it" - Mr. Nguyen The Van, the main staff at the studio, shared.
Labor discipline here is almost military, the shifts must always be ready and highly concentrated. Safety processes are tightened to each operation, ensuring stable power flow.
"Since the plant was put into operation, there have been no work accidents or fires. Safety is the number one priority" - Mr. Khuong The Anh, Director of Son La Hydropower Company emphasized.
Behind the stable operation of Son La Hydropower Plant is a team of silent, close, and dedicated day and night, working hard to ensure the safety of each generator and transmission line. In the midst of the Northwest, they are the ones who keep the power line always shining, carrying the desire to contribute tirelessly.
