Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong - Vice Chairman of Son La Provincial People's Committee chaired the working session to exchange and agree on contents to serve the appraisal and preparation for investment in 500kV power transmission projects in the province.
Attending the working session were Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tan - Deputy General Director of the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ADB representatives, leaders of departments and branches of Son La province and departments and units directly under EVNNPT. The meeting was connected online to some communes with projects passing through.
At the working session, EVNNPT reported on the progress of the 500kV Son La 1 Substation Project and the connection line. This is an important project that has been approved for investment policy and investor approval by the Son La Provincial People's Committee. The project is built in Mai Son and Yen Chau communes, with a total investment of about 2,019 billion VND.
The project aims to strengthen the connection of the power system, ensure safe operation of the transmission grid, improve the reliability of power supply, and at the same time relieve the capacity of renewable energy plants in Son La province. The project is expected to be completed and energized in 2027.
For the Son La 1 - Son Tay 500kV power line project, the power line has a length of about 167 km, of which about 95 km passes through Son La province. The starting point of the project is Son La 1 500kV substation, the ending point is Son Tay 500kV substation (Hanoi).
The project has a total estimated investment of more than 8,970 billion VND. Currently, the project is in the stage of negotiating the route and carrying out procedures for investor approval.
After completion, the project will contribute to relieving the capacity of renewable energy plants in Son La and Dien Bien; transmitting stable and reliable capacity to Son Tay 500kV substation; improving voltage quality, reducing power loss, strengthening the connectivity and flexible operation of the 500kV transmission grid in the North. At the same time, the project also strengthens power supply for 220kV substations, meeting the load demand of Hanoi Capital and neighboring areas, contributing to promoting socio-economic development in the region.
Currently, EVNNPT is coordinating with ADB to conduct appraisal of two projects to consider funding in the form of ODA.
At the working session, ADB representatives exchanged views on ODA capital financing mechanisms and procedures for power transmission projects, and highly appreciated the coordination between Son La Provincial People's Committee and EVNNPT in the investment preparation process.
The parties also focused on exchanging and clarifying many contents related to land use planning, forestry planning, nature reserves, environmental protection requirements, social security, community consultation and coordination mechanisms between localities and investors according to ADB appraisal standards.
ADB representatives requested the parties to continue to closely coordinate to complete the dossier, ensuring full compliance with the conditions according to donor regulations and Vietnamese law, creating a basis for project implementation on schedule.
Speaking at the working session, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong - Vice Chairman of Son La Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the province always pays attention to and creates favorable conditions for key power transmission projects to be implemented on schedule, contributing to ensuring national energy security and promoting socio-economic development of the locality.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tan - Deputy General Director of EVNNPT respectfully thanked the close attention and direction of Son La Provincial People's Committee and the active coordination of departments, branches and localities in the past time. EVNNPT is committed to continuing to closely coordinate with ADB and functional agencies of the province to complete dossiers, fully meet technical, environmental, social and legal requirements, thereby soon deploying projects according to plan.
The working session also agreed on many important contents on the coordination mechanism between Son La Provincial People's Committee, EVNNPT and ADB in the investment preparation process, especially the work of reviewing planning, site clearance, environmental protection, consulting stakeholders and completing dossiers according to the requirements of international donors. This is an important basis for ADB to continue to carry out appraisal work, and at the same time contribute to accelerating the progress of implementing key 500kV power transmission projects, serving the goal of sustainable development of the national power system and ensuring energy security in the coming period.
With the companionship of Son La Provincial People's Committee, the support of ADB and the determination of EVNNPT, the parties expect the process of completing dossiers, appraisal and arranging ODA capital to be implemented smoothly, creating a premise for projects to soon start construction according to plan. These are power transmission projects of important significance in realizing Power Plan VIII, improving the transmission capacity of the national power system and meeting the socio-economic development needs of the Northwest region as well as the whole country.
