Overcoming weather difficulties for construction
Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) Pham Hong Phuong and the working delegation recently inspected the construction site and held a meeting for the third quarter of 2025 of the Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant (PHP) Project.
According to the representative of Power Project Management Board 3 (EVNPMB3), EVNPMB3 and contractors are currently focusing on many solutions to overcome difficulties and speed up the construction progress of the main items of Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant. By the end of September 2025, many key tasks have been deployed, contributing to ensuring the construction plan for the fourth quarter and the next milestones of the project.
The joint venture contractor reports on the construction status. |
In the third quarter, the construction work achieved many important results such as opening all operational construction routes, completing the excavation of open foundation pits for main construction items, and implementing the excavation of power cable tunnels and ventilation beyond the set plan.
However, the implementation of some other items is still slow, especially the construction tunnel (reaching 22% of the plan) and the VH3A operation tunnel (reaching 4% of the plan). The reason is because of the rainy weather, complex geological conditions; although the VH3A operation construction route has been cleared, it is not yet in a condition to transport waste and transport tunnel boring machines to the construction site.
EVNPMB3 also requested the contractor to work overtime, add more human resources and equipment to compensate for the progress, not affecting the main milestone of the project.
In management, EVNPMB3 has implemented strict monitoring using progress management software, and installed a facial recognition camera system to control human resources on the construction site. Regarding construction quality, construction measures and procedures; quality of materials and components; results of material/component tests; construction items all meet design requirements.
Environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) management is ensured, no incidents occur, safety training and fire prevention drills are regularly conducted... In addition, the Project Management Board has strengthened the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board (PCTT&TKCN), proactively responding to storms and floods, ensuring the safety of the construction site.
Entering the fourth quarter, EVNPMB3 continues to set construction targets for the routes serving the construction and operation (VH1, VH2, VH3A). The focus is on the following works: excavation and filling of soil and rock, completing the foundation and road surface, installing drainage culverts, digging and reinforcing 260 meters (m) of the VH3A construction and operation tunnel...
For other tunnel items (electric cable and ventilation tunnel; construction tunnel; ventilation operation construction tunnel; drainage tunnel), continue to actively implement excavation and reinforcement work. The construction item of the downstream valve tower strives to complete open excavation and reinforcement of the flat roof with sprayed concrete of 2,186 m2; the leveling work of the 500 kV distribution station strives to achieve a volume of foundation stone of 77,600 m3...
Many other items related to the power and water supply systems serving the construction are also being actively deployed by the contractor in a spirit of urgency, aiming to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Investor : Vietnam Electricity Group
Representative of the investor managing and operating the project: Power Project Management Board 3
Construction site: Bac Ai Tay commune (belonging to Bac Ai district, old Ninh Thuan province)
Total capacity: 1,200 MW
Total investment: Over 21,101 billion VND
Construction start: February 2025
Planned progress: Unit 01 will generate electricity in December 2029, Unit 02 in April 2030, Unit 03 in August 2030, Unit 04 in December 2030
Efforts to complete “critical path” items
At the meeting with EVN leaders, representatives of contractors reported on the construction status of the items under their management, paying special attention to the "critical path" which is the VH3A construction and operation route. This is an important item for transporting waste and transporting tunnel boring machines to the construction site. The delay in the construction of this route has affected the tunneling progress and the electricity/water supply for the construction, thereby having a "chain effect" on a series of other important items.
Contractors also clearly reported difficulties in construction in adverse weather conditions with continuous rain (in September alone, there were 22 rainy days).
EVN leaders inspect the construction site. |
Praising the spirit of urgent work, regardless of difficulties and hardships of EVNPMB3 and contractors at the Bac Ai pumped-storage hydropower plant construction site, EVN Deputy General Director Pham Hong Phuong also requested EVNPMB3 and the contractor consortium to promote synchronous, rhythmic and close coordination during the construction process, promoting the project's progress comprehensively.
EVN leaders emphasized that the construction site needs to ensure the criteria for social and environmental management, including labor safety and environmental sanitation. In addition, the forces participating in the project need to pay attention to the international experience in design and engineering of the expert group of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Vietnam and foreign donors to help optimize costs and contribute to speeding up the project progress.
Regarding the routes serving the construction and operation of VH1, VH2 and VH3, Mr. Pham Hong Phuong requested EVNPMB3 and contractors to carry out the implementation simultaneously with great effort and concentration; divide the implementation progress in detail, and resolutely manage the work to ensure smooth operation. Contractors need to strive to complete all roadbed mix before December 31.
EVN leaders also mentioned essential items that must be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025 to serve the construction, such as: electricity/water supply system; installation of crushing and mixing station systems and equipment; completion of mixed earth and rock filling experiments to serve the design appraisal work of phase 2... Other items also need to be urgently implemented and completed according to plan.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/thuy-dien-tich-nang-bac-ai-khac-phuc-troi-mua-nhieu-de-day-nhanh-tien-do-thi-cong-d400552.html
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