Lao Cai 500kV Transformer Station: Overcoming difficulties, reaching the finish line on schedule on August 19

At the Lao Cai 500kV Transformer Station construction site, the working atmosphere is hotter than ever. Hundreds of engineers and workers from the investor, supervision consultants, equipment installers... are working day and night at the construction site, devoting all their efforts to bringing the project to the finish line on schedule - to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day.

Package 2XL-TBA500LC "Construction and installation of Lao Cai 500 kV Transformer Station" belongs to Lao Cai 500 kV Transformer Station Project and connecting 220 kV lines

The 500kV Lao Cai transformer station located in Coc Toong village, Xuan Quang commune, Lao Cai province is an important link in the power transmission system in the Northwest region. When completed, the project will help relieve the capacity of hydropower plants in the northern mountainous region, increase the ability to import electricity from China in the dry season, and contribute to improving the safety, reliability, stability and quality of electricity in the entire national power system.

As of the time the reporter team surveyed the construction site on August 14-15, the contractor and related parties were completing the final steps to complete the construction items of phase 2 of the Lao Cai 500KV substation project. Specifically, the construction of the gate column foundation, equipment support pillar foundation, control house, fire water tank, resistance machine foundation and transformer... has been basically completed, reaching 95%.

Lightning-fast construction in extreme weather challenges

Phase 2 started on March 3, 2025. Despite the tight schedule and unfavorable weather conditions, with prolonged heat in the beginning of the year, followed by erratic thunderstorms from June to August, thanks to reasonable construction organization and timely mobilization of equipment and human resources, the construction volume has now reached 95%, and equipment installation has reached 85%.

Mr. Dang Thanh Binh, representative of the Project Management Board of PC1 Group Joint Stock Company, the main contractor for the Lao Cai 500kV Transformer Station construction package, shared: “We are installing the final circuit breakers and conducting testing. The goal is to technically energize on August 19 as directed by the Prime Minister , and up to now, all technical conditions are ready.”

At the site, the construction site is maintaining nearly 150 officers and workers, divided into 3 shifts, 4 shifts, working continuously day and night. The construction atmosphere is urgent, orderly and safe.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tan, representative of the Safety Engineering Department - Power Project Management Board 1 (EVNPMB1), said: "Currently, equipment installation and testing are taking place in parallel, the total project volume has reached about 90%. We are coordinating with national dispatch units to speed up the testing process and ensure quality before energizing."

A notable highlight is that during the construction process, there were almost no serious technical incidents. This reflects the close and smooth coordination between the investor, construction contractors, supervision consultants and the station operation team.

“The Project Management Board is regularly present at the construction site, directly encouraging workers and engineers. Emulation movements are continuously launched, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm, responsibility and high solidarity among the forces participating in the project,” Mr. Tan added.

Construction direction work at the construction site is always urged and urgent, in which EVNPMB1, representing Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) is the investor representative, and PC1 is the main contractor.

Complete infrastructure, ready to turn on electricity for each item

Mr. Hoang Van Cong, Head of the Lao Cai 500kV Transformer Station Operation Management Team, said that most of the main items of Phase 2 have been completed or are in the final stages.

Of which, the construction of gate column foundations, equipment support pillars, control room, fire water tank, cable trench, reactor foundation, transformer foundation... has reached 95%. The primary equipment items such as isolators, vertical porcelain, TU, TI, circuit breakers... have been completely installed and are awaiting acceptance. The 98MVAr shunt reactor (transferred from the 500kV Nho Quan station) has been installed and is qualified for testing.

Mr. Binh, representative of PC1 contractor, said: “We have fully prepared materials, construction machinery, testing personnel and on-site teams. Our spirit is to only discuss progress, not retreat, determined not to let any link slow down the overall progress.”

The project investment scale includes 2 500/220/35kV transformers with a total capacity of 2x900MVA, 8 220kV lines and 2 500kV lines. The project is divided into 2 phases, of which phase 1 was energized in October 2023. Phase 2 started construction on March 3, 2025, is currently under final construction, is the key part connecting to the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen line, with a total investment of more than 7,400 billion VND.

According to the plan, after the technical energization milestone on August 19, 2025, Lao Cai 500 kV Transformer Station will continue to complete the following steps: On August 31, energize the AT1 transformer and load the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen line, circuit 1; In November, energize and fully operate 2 line circuits and 2 new reactors of the project (KH501, KH502); In December, energize the AT2 transformer (including the 35 kV self-consumption part), completing the entire phase 2.

The project is 95% complete.

With the spirit of "lightning speed, safety, quality" construction, the team of engineers and workers at the Lao Cai 500kV Transformer Station project is gradually realizing the goal of firmly connecting the Northwest power grid with the national power system.

In the context of the whole country excitedly looking forward to the 80th anniversary of National Day September 2, each meter of cable connected, each device installed at the project carries great pride and responsibility. This is not only an infrastructure project, but also a symbol of the will to rise, the desire for development and the spirit of solidarity and unanimity of the Vietnamese electricity industry in the journey of modernizing the country.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tram-bien-ap-500kv-lao-cai-vuot-gian-kho-can-dich-dung-hen-ngay-198-d361840.html