Green Hydro Plant Joins National Grid

TUYEN QUANG (VNS) — The nation's very first ‘green' hydro power plant was officially put into operation yesterday in northern mountain Tuyen Quang Province.

The Chiem Hoa Plant will contribute198.6 million Kwh of electricity a year to the national grid.

The 48MW plant has three turbines and was built on the run-of-the-river model, meaning it is river powered and generates hydroelectricity with little or no water storage required, removing the need to build a large dam.

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday in Chiem Hoa district, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai highlighted the application of new and advanced technology in the construction of the plant.

"This will significantly reduce the impact on the ecological environment and the life of the locals," he stressed.

The plant will contribute to the social economic development of the northern mountainous area and will strongly boost the province's economy, Hai said.

Chiem Hoa, now the fourth hydro power plant in the fastest section of the Gam River, was built at an estimated cost of over VND1.8 trillion (US$87 million) from the International Trading and Construction Investment JSC.

Economic restructure

On the same day, Deputy PM Hai urged local authorities in Tuyen Quang Province to better restructure the local economy.

Hai asked the local government to develop specialised zones for production and cultivation of sugarcane and tea, which the region grows in abundance, and to develop historical and cultural tourism.

The province should focus on supporting enterprises, human resources training, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, he said.

The Deputy PM also asked the province to mobilise local investment for infrastructure and reduce the State investment in fields which can be mobilised from local sources. — VNS