In the first days of 2024, warm sunshine covers Sap Viet hydroelectric reservoir in Sap Vat commune, Yen Chau district. The plant has been in operation since 2017 with two turbines, with a total capacity of 23.4 MW. In 2023, with an output of over 64 million kWh, it generated 70 billion VND in revenue, and paid over 17 billion VND to the state budget.

Continuing our new-year journey, we visited the Bo Sinh Hydropower Plant of the Hoang Son Power Construction Investment and Trading JSC (Hoa Binh city) in Bo Sinh commune, Song Ma district. This is one of four small-sized hydropower projects being built in the province. Joining the company leaders in inspecting the progress and encouraging workers at the construction site, we felt the bustling working atmosphere here. Everyone was trying to speed up the construction progress and complete the plant to bring electricity to the national grid soon.

Construction on the plant in Huoi Lan hamlet began in September 2021 and is expected to be completed for operation in June 2024. It includes two turbines with a designed capacity of 24 MW and a total investment capital of nearly 800 billion VND (32.5 million USD). To date, it has completed 50% of total workload. The company is mobilising nearly 100 workers with a view to installing the first turbine in early spring 2024 and completing construction in September.

CTA: The Ta Co Hydropower Plant in Song Ma district.

Now the province has 57 out of 71 small and medium hydropower projects completed and put into operation with a total capacity of more than 670 MW; four under construction, 98 MW; 10 in investment preparation, 102.6 MW; and five being evaluated for investment policy approval, 36.5 MW.

Small hydropower plants have contributed to not only ensuring national energy security and promoting local socio-economic development, but also protecting and developing watershed forests through payment of forest environment service fees. Hydropower companies have joined hands with localities to invest in electricity systems, such as providing electricity to Pa Xa Hong and Nam Hong hamlets in Muong La district; handing over the power supply system to Lang Sang and Hang Dong C hamlets, Bac Yen district; building more than 400 km of roads; supporting the construction of cultural houses in hamlets. During the construction process, the plants have created jobs for thousands of local workers and when put into operation, they provide stable jobs for more than 800 labourers.

With effective and sustainable hydropower development in association with environmental protection, small hydroelectric plants have been contributing electricity to the national grid, serving local socio-economic development and weaving springs here.