EVNNPT, northern Vietnam province Son La to speed up power transmission projects

Son La province will coordinate closely with National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) to accelerate construction of key power transmission projects aimed at supporting regional and local socio-economic development.

The two sides on Tuesday held a working session to speed up the power transmission projects in the province, with the attendance of Son La's deputy Party chief and Chairman Nguyen Dinh Viet, Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Cong, and senior officials from relevant departments.

EVNNPT was represented by chairman of the council of members Nguyen Tuan Tung, general sirector Pham Le Phu, deputy general directors Nguyen Ngoc Tan and Hoang Van Tuyen, and leaders of its project management boards.

Major transmission projects must be accelerated

EVNNPT general director Pham Le Phu said Son La’s current transmission grid includes three transformer stations - one 500kV and two 220kV - with a total capacity of 2,550 MVA, along with 220-500kV lines evacuating local power generation. While the system operates reliably, it is often running at or near full capacity.

To ensure reliable power supply for socio-economic growth, EVNNPT is expediting several key projects as follows.

- Son La 1 500kV substation and 500kV transmission line, scheduled for completion in 2027, with total capacity of 1,800 MVA (2x900 MVA) and about 10 km of new lines.

The 500kV transformer station is planned to be built in Mai Son commune, while the 500kV connecting line will be built in Yen Chau and Mai Son communes.

- 500kV Son La 1-Son Tay double-circuit transmission line, about 164 km long, also targeted for completion in 2027.

It passes through Mai Son, Yen Chau, Chieng Hac, Doan Ket, To Mua, Song Khua communes, Moc Chau, Moc Son, Van Son, Thao Nguyen wards. Currently, the Power Transmission Project Management Board is continuing to work with the communes and wards of the province to unify the direction of the power line.

- 220kV Son La-Dien Bien double-circuit line, 132.6 km in length, expected to be completed in 2025.

The power line passes through Son La province, passing through the former Muong La district and the former Thuan Chau district, now in the area of six communes: Muong La, Muong Khieng, Chieng La, Thuan Chau, Binh Thuan, and Muong E with a total length of about 67.3 km. The project is under construction but is currently stuck in the issue of land compensation and clearance.

Call for local government support

EVNNPT chairman Nguyen Tuan Tung said the projects are part of the government’s revised Power Development Plan VIII (Decision No. 768/QD-TTg, dated April 15, 2025), designed to enhance transmission capacity, improve grid stability, and strengthen regional power links.

He urged the Son La People’s Committee to update these projects in the provincial master plan, approve substation locations and line routes, and facilitate land and environmental procedures to allow investment decisions and feasibility studies to proceed.

For the 220kV Son La-Dien Bien project, EVNNPT asked the provincial administration to direct its departments and agencies to help resolve remaining land compensation issues and approve technical adjustments allowing increased tower height in forested areas to ensure completion by Q1/2026.

Province commits to full cooperation

Son La Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Cong said the province plans to expand its energy portfolio with wind, solar, and biomass power projects, along with the expansion of the Son La and Huoi Quang hydropower plants, bringing total installed capacity to 9,300 MW by 2030.

“As Son La aims to become an energy hub of the northern region, the new transmission lines are essential to evacuate power from upcoming projects,” Cong said, pledging close coordination with EVNNPT.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman Nguyen Dinh Viet affirmed that the province “fully supports” EVNNPT’s investment plans and will expedite all necessary approvals.

“The earlier the transmission network is completed, the more confidence it will give power investors to accelerate generation projects,” Viet said, assigning Vice Chairman Cong as the focal point for coordination with EVNNPT and directing local authorities to provide maximum assistance.

EVNNPT’s project management boards were requested to work directly with local authorities at the commune level from early stages, including land measurement and valuation, to ensure timely completion of all projects.