Major transmission line delivers on Vietnam govt's stable power supply promise

A much awaited 591 km long power transmission line completed in a record six months has gone live, delivering on the Vietnamese government’s pledge to ensure stable power supply to the northern region.

Speaking at the new transmission line’s inauguration ceremony Thursday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed its strategic importance for national energy security.

It will provide an additional 30 billion kWh every year, he said, adding that the project will also enhance the confidence of foreign investors, especially in high-tech industries.

Chinh noted that the Vietnamese government had promised stable power supply for their projects.

When the northern region suffered power shortages early summer last year, upsetting citizens and the business community, PM Chinh had repeatedly committed to preventing its recurrence at any cost.

Under the National Power Development Plan VIII, the transmission line was to go live in 2025-2026, but after last year’s power shortages, PM Chinh ordered that the project be completed urgently.

The Quang Trach- Pho Noi 500 kV – circuit 3 line, which runs from Quang Binh province (central region) to Hung Yen province (northern region), was constructed in a record time of six months, instead of the usual three to four years, at a cost of VND22.3 trillion ($897 million).

It was invested by National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) under state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

More than 2.5 million cubic meters of soil was removed, and 239,000 tons of steel and nearly 14,000 km of wires were used to build the line.

The line is designed to double transmission capacity from the central to the northern region to 5,000 MW, ensuring more stable power supply for the latter.