Bottleneck" on key projects
Lao Cai is considered the "energy warehouse" of the Northwest region with a series of large and small hydropower plants that have been and are operating. However, limited transmission capacity has made capacity discharge not as effective as expected.
According to the Department of Industry and Trade, many large-scale power transmission projects are currently being implemented in the province, such as the 220kV Than Uyen - Lao Cai 500kV substation line; Bat Xat 220kV substation; Bat Xat - Bao Thang 220kV line; Lao Cai 500kV substation...
These are key projects to strengthen system linkages, ensure stable power supply to the region and transmit electricity from the Northwest to the delta.
In which, the 220kV Than Uyen - Lao Cai power line project is about 73.5km long, of which the section passing through Lao Cai is nearly 68km, passing through many high mountainous areas, and the terrain is divided.
This is a key national power transmission project, which is required to be completed in the near future to meet the increasing load demand, especially in the dry season.
When completed, the projects will contribute to unloading capacity for hydropower plants in Lao Cai and Lai Chau, while improving the safety and stability of the national power system, reducing the risk of local overload. However, the implementation process is facing many difficulties. The most prominent is still site clearance - a prolonged "bottleneck" at many projects.
At the 220kV Bat Xat substation, although most of the area has been handed over, there are still some households that have not agreed on a compensation plan due to obstacles in determining the recovered area. In particular, the road to the 500kV substation still has households who do not agree, causing the transportation of equipment and materials to be interrupted at times.
In addition, the rugged mountainous terrain, difficult traffic, and complicated weather are also factors that affect the construction progress.
Decisively remove obstacles, accelerate progress
Under pressure to ensure power supply during peak season, Lao Cai determines that removing difficulties for power transmission projects is a key and urgent task.
The top priority solution is to accelerate site clearance. Localities have strengthened dialogue and propaganda to help people understand the meaning of the project, thereby creating consensus.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung - Chairman of Bat Xat Commune People's Committee - said: "We identify this as an important political task, so we have mobilized the entire system to participate. When people understand the long-term benefits, the majority agree and hand over the site so that the project can be implemented on schedule.
On the construction unit side, they have mobilized maximum resources, deploying many fronts simultaneously at the construction site. The units have made the most of favorable weather, increased manpower and equipment, determined to compensate for the delayed progress.
Representatives of the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) also said that the projects in Lao Cai are of particular importance in ensuring national energy security, especially in the context of high electricity demand. Therefore, the unit is closely coordinating with localities to remove each difficulty and accelerate progress.
Accelerating the progress of power transmission projects is not only to meet immediate electricity demand, but also to have long-term strategic significance.
When the transmission bottleneck is removed, electricity from hydropower plants in the Northwest region will be exploited more effectively, limiting the situation of local surplus. At the same time, the national power system will operate more flexibly and safely, reducing the risk of power shortages in the peak season.
