Son La Hydro-power Plant Begins Operation 3 Years Ahead Of Target

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung meets workers at the Son La Hydro-power Plant in northern Son La Province during his visit at the weekend. — VNA/VNS Photo Duc Tam

SON LA (VNS)— Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday called on northwestern Son La province to use all available resources to stabilise the lives of the 20,000 residents who were relocated to build the Son La hydro-power project.

The PM was visiting the province during the weekend to officially inaugurate the plant, the largest of its kind ever constructed in Southeast Asia, which was both designed and built by Vietnamese engineers with assistance from foreign consultants.

The facility was completed three years ahead of schedule, saving trillions of dong and affirming Viet Nam's ability to execute such large projects.

Located in It Ong commune, Muong La district, the plant has six turbines with a total capacity of 2,600 MW. It will provide the national grid with over 10 billion kWh of electricity each year.

Also it helps prevent flooding and supply water to the agricultural production, thus boosting socio-economic development in the country's northwest region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dung said the inauguration of the plant was an important milestone in the development of the Vietnamese power sector.

He also asked the leaders of Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces to continue allocating farming land and jobs for displaced people.

Dung emphasised that the successful relocating of residents was just the beginning; the more important task was to make sure their lives were stable and they could start their new production and business.

While meeting with the provincial authorities, the PM was also briefed on the province's socio-economic development.

The province's GDP growth rate hit an average of 11.34 per cent in the 2011-12 period, with average per capita income reaching nearly US$600.

The PM also asked the Public Security Ministry to coordinate with the investor and local authorities to ensure the plant met safety regulations. — VNS