Miracle for the rising era

Speed ​​to save

Back in early 2024, a group of reporters from Lao Dong Newspaper made a special journey, following the 500kV line 3. The trip started from position 201, Chau Son commune, Quynh Phu district (Thai Binh province), extending through construction sites in Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces.

At that time, coming to the construction site of the 500kV line 3 project, witnessing with my own eyes the "transmission soldiers" with small figures, but installing hundreds of tons of poles, hundreds of meters high, erected in many complex terrains, I could see how proud their tireless efforts were. It was not only sweat and effort but also demonstrated the high level of expertise, steel spirit and perseverance of the construction forces at the construction site of the 500kV line 3 project.

Working directly on the construction site after many months of staying in a difficult area to carry out construction tasks, Mr. Bui Quang Canh - Director of Power Construction Company No. 4 said that when participating in the 500kV line 3 project, the leadership thoroughly instilled the spirit for all officers and employees in the company, from the office to the production unit, to make every effort. The days and nights of non-stop construction with 3 shifts, 4 teams, hasty meals, quick sleeps, all for the goal of completing the project on schedule, safely and with quality.

"For each column foundation location, the contractor had to arrange 3-4 excavators, fill and level the area continuously for many days to have a service road to the construction site. To go up the mountain to erect the column, we had to break rocks and dig gravel. We had to really brave the sun and rain because the weather in Ky Anh (Ha Tinh) is harsh and the terrain is very difficult," Mr. Canh recalled.

Although the construction had to be carried out at lightning speed with the highest determination, Mr. Le Duc Tan - Project Manager of Minh Quang Electromechanical Joint Stock Company always reminded his colleagues to absolutely not ignore the requirements on construction quality and safety at the construction site.

"The fastest progress must go hand in hand with the best quality and safety. There were many days when the weather was erratic, sometimes scorching hot and then suddenly there was a thunderstorm. We got soaked but still persevered and clung to the poles," said Mr. Tan.

Mr. Dang Hoang An - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) - said that if the 500kV line circuit 1 demonstrates the spirit of daring to do and taking responsibility, circuit 2 affirms the internal strength and self-reliance of the nation, then circuit 3 is a testament to the combined strength of the entire political system. From the Government, ministries, local authorities to the people, all have been united, overcome difficulties, and innovated their ways of working to bring the project to the finish line on schedule.

Strive for progress

Summer 2024 in Ha Tinh is a hot summer that lasts for many days, many times with temperatures higher than 40 degrees Celsius. For construction workers installing poles, it is even more terrible when they sit exposed to the heat on metal electric poles that absorb heat and burn for many hours a day.

Mr. Bui Huy Hoang (37 years old, from Hoa Binh province), a worker at Song Da Construction and Service Joint Stock Company, who is installing electric poles in Cam My commune, Cam Xuyen district, shared: “Because of the pressure of progress, we wake up to work from 5:30 to 11:30 in the morning. In the afternoon, we stop from 1:30 until it is completely dark. The weather is harsh and the work intensity is too high, so some of us, including me, have gotten sick.”

Mr. Hoang, like many other workers from Hoa Binh province who came to Ha Tinh to build the 500kV line 3, shared that for many months, although he missed his home, his wife, and his children, and wanted to go home to visit them, he could not. Due to the pressure of progress, the company did not allow him to take time off to go home. Only one or a few brothers who had important family matters were allowed to return home urgently and then had to return to the construction site quickly.

Mr. Mai Vu Tran Quang - a technical officer of Song Da Company shared: "My hometown is in Quang Binh province. The distance from the construction site to home is less than a few hundred kilometers, but I have not been home for 4 months."

Proud to contribute to the national key project

During the days working at the 500kV line 3 construction site in Ha Tinh, I clearly felt that despite the difficulties, hardships, and dangers, the staff and workers in sweaty protective gear still worked diligently and responsibly.

Mr. Bui Van Quang (45 years old, from Hoa Binh province) said that he is very proud to contribute his small efforts to the national key project, contributing to promoting the country's socio-economic development in the era of industrialization and modernization.

Mr. Bui Huy Hoang (37 years old, from Hoa Binh province) also said that the pressure of progress was too great along with the intense heat, so it was very hard, he worked until he was sick but also felt proud to be able to contribute his efforts to the country's key project.

“The days of construction at the 500kV circuit 3 construction site in Ha Tinh are unforgettable memories in my life. In the future, if I have the chance, I will take my children to visit and play with the electric poles that I participated in the construction to proudly tell them that I contributed to building giant, tall, modern electric poles like this,” Mr. Hoang shared.

Mr. Tran Bao Ha - Vice Chairman of Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee - said that identifying this as a national key project with an urgent nature, Ha Tinh has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, thereby creating consensus, solidarity and unanimity among the people in the area where the 500kV line 3 project passes through.

“The success of the 500kV line 3 project is a testament to the ability to overcome all difficulties with the high determination of the political system and the solidarity and unanimity of the entire people,” Mr. Tran Bao Ha shared.

Spread the spirit of circuit 3

Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Thai Son - Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Energy Association - called the progress of this 500kV line a "miracle". He emphasized that normally it cannot be completed in 6-7 months. Even previous key projects such as the 500kV Son La - Lai Chau or Van Phong - Vinh Tan lines, despite receiving great attention, took about 2 years. Meanwhile, the 500kV circuit 3 project from Vung Ang to Pleiku 2 took more than 3 years to complete.

According to him, the project demonstrates the solidarity of local authorities and people. Local people have supported the project, given up their housing and production land, actively supported logistics, provided materials and construction machinery, and participated in the construction of appropriate items.

At the conference to review the 500kV line project circuit 3 Pho Noi - Quang Trach on December 8, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam is about to enter a new era, an era of rising to wealth and prosperity. To do so, Vietnam must have a breakthrough in growth, reaching a double-digit rate in the coming decades. Thus, electricity growth must be higher to meet the needs of the economy.

"One percentage point of GDP growth requires about 1.5 percentage points of electricity growth," said the Prime Minister. Therefore, the Prime Minister requested the industry to have breakthroughs, century-old projects, and projects that can turn the situation around and change the state. This is aimed at "absolutely not allowing a shortage of electricity for the country's growth, industrialization, and modernization."

The Prime Minister requested EVN and the electricity sector to increase the application of science and technology, innovation, especially artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things. This is to ensure the stages of source, load, distribution, and efficient use of electricity, with prices suitable for businesses and people.

(Posted on the special edition of Lao Dong Xuan At Ty)