Lao Cai – Vinh Yen 500 kV transmission line project Part 1: Spreading the spirit of circuit 3, the entire political system joins in

Construction units are determined to complete the foundation positions of the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen line in May 2025 - Photo: VGP/Toan Thang

Important project contributing to ensuring electricity for the North

The Lao Cai - Vinh Yen 500 kV Transmission Line Project is invested by Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and managed by Power Project Management Board 1 (EVNPMB 1). This project has a total investment of more than 7,410 billion VND; of which, 80% is arranged from loans from the Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam ( Vietcombank ), and EVN's counterpart capital is 20%.

This is a national key project, once completed, it will contribute to ensuring power supply and energy security for the Northern region, contributing to socio -economic development, national defense and security, ensuring energy security for the industrialization and modernization process of the country.

The 500 kV Lao Cai Vinh Yen line is a double-circuit line with a total length of 229.5 km, with 468 pole foundation locations. The project passes through 4 provinces including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc, with the starting point being the 500 kV Lao Cai transformer station (TSB) and the ending point being the 500 kV Vinh Yen transformer station (TSB).

Once put into operation, this 500 kV line will be able to transmit about 3,000 MW from hydropower plants in the Northwest region and neighboring provinces to the national grid and increase the ability to import electricity; at the same time, it will create a strong connection between regions in the power system, improve the ability to operate safely and stably for the national power system, reduce power loss in the transmission grid, and improve the efficiency of EVN's electricity production and business.

Recognizing the importance of the project, the Government, ministries, branches and localities where the project is located have been resolutely directing and focusing on resolving difficulties and obstacles to bring the project to completion on time, before September 2 this year.

The importance of the project was especially emphasized by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the groundbreaking ceremony and launching of the emulation movement to build the 500 kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line project in Vinh Phuc on the morning of March 16.

"Energy is indispensable for growth. Each percentage point of GDP growth will correspond to about 1.5 percentage points of electricity growth."

At the groundbreaking ceremony, the Prime Minister requested that the project be constructed within 6 months and completed no later than August 31, 2025, contributing to promoting growth, fulfilling the set goals and targets, practically celebrating the country's major holidays in 2025, welcoming Party congresses at all levels towards the 14th National Congress of the Party.

Taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, contractors mobilized all means of machinery to carry out construction at night to ensure project progress - Photo: VGP/Toan Thang

Mobilize the entire political system to participate

To achieve this goal, the Prime Minister stated that contractors must continue to promote the construction spirit of "overcoming the sun and rain", "working overtime", "eating and sleeping quickly", "working at night when the day is not enough", "working in 3 shifts, 4 shifts, through holidays and Tet".

Central and local agencies and units must coordinate closely and actively support investors; EVN leaders and Power Project Management Board 1 must closely follow the construction site, promptly resolve arising difficulties and problems, and create motivation and inspiration for those on the construction site.

The authorities of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc provinces and localities where the project passes through, EVN and related ministries and branches mobilized the participation of the entire political system, organizations, forces and people to ensure the project is completed on schedule.

Clearly identifying the importance and urgency of the project, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has also closely monitored and organized meetings with ministries, branches and localities on the project's progress.

Most recently, on March 28, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the State Steering Committee for important national programs, works and projects in the energy sector (Steering Committee) chaired a meeting on the 500 kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line project.

To achieve progress and ensure project quality, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien requested the People's Committees of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc provinces to focus on mobilizing the entire political system to participate and resolutely direct and support the Investor in site clearance and construction.

At the same time, do a good job of propaganda and mobilization of people in the project area to agree, support and create favorable conditions for site handover as well as construction. Implement the "4 on-site" motto to support investors and contractors to speed up construction progress.

As one of the localities implementing the project, Mr. Ngo Hanh Phuc, Vice Chairman of Yen Bai Provincial People's Committee, said that in order to meet the project's commencement schedule according to the Prime Minister's direction, Yen Bai focuses on directing departments, branches, and district People's Committees to closely coordinate with EVN units to speed up the project's progress.

At the same time, organize regular working sessions with investors to promptly remove and resolve difficulties and problems during the implementation process, especially in compensation and site clearance.

Contractors work overtime, construction crews work at night on foundation sites with the determination to complete the project's foundation construction in May 2025 - Photo: VGP/Toan Thang

As soon as the project started, EVN and Power Project Management Board 1 clearly defined the tasks and responsibilities of each party and committed to ensuring the quality and progress of the project.

At the same time, the investor, the project management unit and the units and enterprises participating in the project agreed to sign a "competition covenant commitment".

Accordingly, Power Project Management Board 1 urgently handed over the construction site; provided design documents; provided materials and equipment; accepted payment and timely disbursement; accepted and put the project into operation in accordance with regulations.

Design consultants provide design documents that meet construction quality and progress; promptly handle design issues arising during construction and installation. Supervision consultants arrange sufficient human resources to supervise, accept work, accept completion of project items, works and accept payment to meet progress.

Contractors mobilize sufficient vehicles, machinery, equipment, human resources, supplies, materials and arrange sufficient financial resources for construction. Focus on construction, ensure project quality, ensure labor safety, environmental sanitation, complete procedures and prepare complete documents for acceptance; ensure to achieve and exceed committed progress targets.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Lao Cai - Vinh Yen 500 kV transmission line project management board, said that the Government, Prime Minister, and Minister of Industry and Trade have held many meetings and worked with localities to thoroughly understand the urgency of the project.

Along with that, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of EVN, Deputy General Director of the Group in charge of the project regularly worked with localities to support and mobilize people to understand the urgency and importance of this project.

"Apart from the 500 kV circuit 3 Quang Trach - Pho Noi project that was inaugurated last year, there has not been any project that has been actively implemented in site clearance compensation like this project," said Mr. Thanh.

Given the urgency of the project, Power Project Management Board 1 has asked contractors to take advantage of favorable weather conditions to work overtime and increase shifts to focus on construction at night during the excavation and foundation casting stages to ensure project progress.

According to the representative of Power Project Management Board 1, by April 10, out of a total of 468 locations of the entire project in the 4 provinces, 465 locations had been handed over to the contractor. Of which, Lao Cai province was the earliest locality to complete all 100 locations for the contractor to construct.

There are only 3 locations left; of which 2 locations in Luc Yen district and location 462 in Vinh Phuc province have problems with national defense land.

"Hopefully in the next one to two days, with the activeness and support of the localities, we will be able to hand over all construction sites to the contractor," Mr. Nguyen Huu Thanh added.

At this point, the contractors have leveled the ground, dug the foundation pits to construct the steel reinforcement and prepared to pour the remaining concrete foundation, completed the construction of the foundation position, and then will proceed to erect the columns.

Joining the working group of Power Project Management Board 1 to inspect the construction progress of the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line project, we felt more clearly the "circuit 3 spirit" that is spreading strongly on the construction site of this project. That is not only the determination of the highest leader of Vietnam Electricity Group, Power Project Management Board 1 but also reflected in the determination and extremely exciting and urgent construction spirit of each worker and contractor to ensure the progress of the project.

Accordingly, the contractors all expressed their determination to complete the foundation casting by May 2025 at the latest; complete the pole erection by July 2025; complete the wire stretching by August 2025 and complete the project's power supply by August 31, 2025 in accordance with the Prime Minister's direction.

Toan Thang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/du-an-duong-day-500-kv-lao-cai-vinh-yenbai-1-lan-toa-tinh-than-mach-3-ca-he-thong-chinh-tri-cung-vao-cuoc-102250417111154977.htm