Hoa Binh Province - a place where unique cultural, historical and identity converge: Lesson 13 - Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant - proud "project of the century"

Tourists visit and learn about the tunnel where the generators of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant are located. Photo: Bui Minh

Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant - a project of the century with the help of the former Soviet Union, was built in 1979. But before that, since 1971, Soviet and Vietnamese geological experts had continuously drilled to select a location to build a hydroelectric dam along the fierce Da River... At the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, a symbol of Vietnam - Soviet Union friendship (at that time, the largest in Southeast Asia), at its peak there were up to 40,000 workers and 2,500 Soviet (former) experts working. Those years were full of difficulties, challenges, hardships and dangers due to the "water control" and "mountain control", but the enthusiasm of the hydropower workers urged the hands and minds of the engineers and workers to turn the river into a source of electricity. The atmosphere was seething with "3 shifts, 4 shifts" working all night "For the electricity of tomorrow for the Fatherland". The labor slogans of that time have now become legendary, such as "Altitude 81 or die", expressing the spirit of urgency and enthusiasm to overcome difficulties of the entire construction site.

The memories of the people of Hoa Binh city in particular and Hoa Binh province in general cannot forget the historical moments: on the morning of November 6, 1979, after the sound of a mine exploding on Ong Tuong hill, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong threw a stone into the Da River, signaling the start of construction of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant. Then the first phase of Da River damming (1986), the second phase of Da River damming (1988) were bustling and hurried... Sweat, tears and even blood were shed on the construction site. During the construction process, the construction units dug more than 20 thousand cubic meters, filled nearly 27 thousand cubic meters of earth and rock, and installed nearly 47,000 tons of equipment and metal structures.

For the sake of the Fatherland, 168 Soviet cadres, workers and experts fell. They became beautiful symbols of sacrifice, dedication and the great Vietnam - Soviet friendship.

Those extreme efforts were rewarded. On December 30, 1988, the first unit of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant officially went into operation, connecting to the national grid, signaling a historic moment for the country and the Vietnam Electricity industry. On April 4, 1994, the 8th unit, also the last unit of the plant, was officially completed, reaching a total installed capacity of 1,920 MW. On December 20, 1994, the inauguration of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant became a national holiday; marking the result of 15 years of tireless, selfless work for the country's electricity by tens of thousands of cadres, workers and experts on this great project of the 20th century.

After decades of operation, it can be affirmed that the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant has fulfilled its role as a multi-functional project: regulating floods and irrigating water for the Northern Delta, generating electricity, serving waterway traffic, and acting as a driving force in the socio -economic development strategy of the Northwest region. Since the plant came into operation, the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant has controlled dozens of large floods of over 10,000 m3/s; typically the historic flood in August 1996 with a flow of over 22,650 m3/s; the late flood that appeared in October 2017 (when the reservoir was full) had a flow of nearly 16,000 m3/s with very complex and unpredictable developments. Through those difficult moments, we still maintained the safety of the project and the downstream area of ​​the Northern Delta.

Since its completion, with 8 units with a total installed capacity of 1,920 MW, Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant has contributed to fundamentally solving the electricity shortage in our country for a long time.

From 20:20 on December 30, 1988 (when Unit 1 was connected to the national grid) to November 9, 2024, Hoa Binh Hydropower Company produced 280 billion kWh, marking 36 years of effective management, operation and exploitation of the country's multi-purpose strategic hydropower project.

To take advantage of precious water resources and create new energy sources to contribute to the country's development, in early 2021, the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Expansion Project officially started construction, building 2 more units with a capacity of 480MW, which when completed will increase the capacity of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant to 2,400MW. This is a good sign, enhancing the function and stature of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant in the cause of modernization and industrialization of the country today.

The special contribution of the Party Committee and the people of all ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province to the miracle of building the Hoa Binh hydropower plant was the great contribution of the Party Committee and the people of all ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province. The people of all ethnic groups in the districts of Da Bac, Cao Phong, Mai Chau, Tan Lac, and Hoa Binh city left their villages, houses, ancestors' graves, fields, works... to move to new places to serve the operation of the plant. More than 4,000 households participated in the historic migration during the years of the hydropower plant's formation and the formation of the Hoa Binh lake area. These were silent, priceless sacrifices that must not be forgotten...

(To be continued)

VT (TH)

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/16/200277/Tinh-Hoa-Binh-noi-hoi-tu-nhung-net-van-hoa,-lich-su-doc-dao,-ban-sac-Bai-13-Thuy-dien-Hoa-Binh-tu-hao-cong-trinh-the-ky.htm