"Overcoming the sun and rain", clearing the electricity flow
Among the many jobs we have encountered, maintenance and repair of high voltage lines is considered a dangerous job because all operations take place at a height of tens of meters, in harsh weather conditions. We had a meaningful trip with the staff of Lai Chau High Voltage Grid Enterprise to record the work they are facing.
Staff of Lai Chau High Voltage Grid Enterprise repair power lines and porcelain chains.
At 5 a.m. on an early autumn day, the staff and workers of Lai Chau High Voltage Grid Enterprise were present at the headquarters. Everyone was carrying a lot of belongings. Today, the delegation went to inspect the construction and installation of column foundations and power lines at column 09, 110kV line 172A29.12 of Nam Thi 2 Hydropower Plant (located in Binh Lu commune). This is where the landslide that caused the column foundation to tilt occurred at the end of June 2025. At that time, the staff of the Enterprise promptly arrived to temporarily fix the problem to ensure the inter-provincial transmission line between Lao Cai and Lai Chau.
On the way, we heard Mr. Vang Van Vien (who has worked at the factory for many years) recount: “Around the end of June, Lai Chau had continuous rain. When receiving news of an incident at location 09, the unit's leaders reported the incident to the company, asked for opinions and made a plan to handle it immediately. When we arrived at the scene, it was still raining heavily and showed no signs of stopping. But with many years of experience, we proceeded to dismantle, collect column 09, and turn on the power for temporary operation. After more than half a day of rain, we finished the work to restore the power”. However, to ensure the power grid and power source were not unstable, Lai Chau Electricity Company decided to replace 2 columns (08, 10 adjacent) with columns that could withstand better force and replace the conductors from column 06 to 11. The project has now reached the final stage of construction, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.
After more than an hour of driving along the winding road between the mountains and forests, we continued our journey on foot, climbing the slopes, and crossing the forest for nearly half an hour before reaching the construction site. On the mountainside, the sky was covered in mist, only the shimmering light from the electricians' reflective vests could be seen, like small dots connecting each other across the deserted hill to the foot of the high-voltage pole. While walking, Mr. Dap said: Compared to many other pole locations, this approach is very convenient.
These days, Lai Chau High Voltage Grid Enterprise always sends technical staff to closely coordinate with the construction unit to survey the site, make a construction plan, calculate the optimal safety measures for replacing the 2 poles 08 and 10 and the entire wiring system. After the plan is approved, the Enterprise continues to coordinate to register to cut off the power line, assign people to monitor each stage, absolutely not allowing even the smallest error to occur.
Electricians constantly have to work at heights.
For electricians, the rugged terrain, with many 110kV lines running through dense forests, steep passes, and deep streams, is a very common thing. That’s why they often joke that this job requires being friends with the wind and the sky. However, every time they see the lights come back on, all their fatigue disappears.
Ensuring safety, bringing electricity to the people
For the staff and workers of the Electricity industry, each time they climb an electric pole, they have to face the mountain wind, the rain in the forest and the danger of tens of thousands of volts of electricity. Therefore, before being allowed to climb the pole, the staff and workers must undergo electrical safety training, high-climbing skills and incident handling. They are given regular health check-ups: heart, blood pressure and vision checks to ensure they are qualified to work at height. To ensure absolute safety, the preparation work is always carried out strictly and methodically by the enterprise. Before each shift, the working team must survey the site, develop a construction plan, a safety plan, register for power outages and hold meetings to disseminate tasks to each person.
“Before going to inspect and repair, we must consider the situation, carefully check for possible dangers, and then proactively take preventive measures. Because even a small mistake at a height can cost lives” - Deputy Director of Kieu Thanh Trung Enterprise shared.
Workers on duty check equipment at the 110kV transformer station .
Indeed, on site, in any situation, procedures and regulations such as: work tickets, work orders; power cut and prevent power from coming back; check that there is no power; install a safe ground and delineate the working area must be strictly followed. In particular, when working at a height of 2m or more, workers must wear safety belts; absolutely do not work during thunderstorms, winds of level 6 or higher or when torrential rain causes water to flow on equipment. Night work is also only allowed when there is adequate lighting and specialized lighting equipment.
When a power outage occurs, especially at night or during a storm, the speed of response is the key factor in restoring power to the people, but along with that comes the pressure of ensuring absolute safety for workers. During the storm season, the unit always maintains a 24/7 duty regime. Each team and group is assigned clear tasks, prepared with means, materials, tools and plans for natural disaster prevention, search and rescue approved annually.
...check the battery.
In recent years, thanks to synchronous investment, the Enterprise has been equipped with more modern vehicles such as pickup trucks, specialized motorbikes, thermal cameras, flycams for line inspection... to help monitor and detect hot spots and damaged parts faster and more accurately. However, no matter how advanced the equipment is, it cannot replace people - the "orange soldiers" with experience, courage and selfless working spirit. They are still the most important "living link" in the operating system to ensure the electricity is always safe and stable.
Thanks to modern tools, monitoring and detecting hot spots, broken porcelain... is faster.
In the Electricity industry, safety discipline is considered the "lifeline", so training and periodic training are always given special attention by Lai Chau Electricity Company in general and the Enterprise in particular. Every year, the company plans to train all officers and employees from technical expertise, safety procedures, to applying new technology and handling incidents. In addition to the centralized training program, units and teams also organize monthly and quarterly periodic training, combining theory and practice. There are training sessions that are only 1 short hour, but it is enough for them to remind each other about each operation, rule, and small things that determine life.
“In this profession, everyone knows that danger is always present. But if there are no people who dare to climb the poles and walk in the storms, who will keep the electricity on?” - Mr. Nguyen Tai Son (who has been in the profession for 20 years) said with a smile.
Amidst the vast clouds and mountains of the border region, the orange-shirted figures are steadfastly holding on day by day, walking in the wind, in the rain, overcoming the scorching sun and cold dew... quietly working to light up each village and each road. Each electric current that reaches the people is the result of the sweat and dedication of those “floating in the sky” bringing light to everywhere.
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Source: https://baolaichau.vn/kinh-te/ky-2-tuc-truc-san-sang-xu-ly-kip-thoi-1194217
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