Phạm Lê Phú, EVNNPT general director. — VNA/VNS Photo Đức Dũng

Phạm Lê Phú, general director of of Việt Nam's National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT), talks to the media about the progress of the 500/220kV Nho Quan – Phú Lý – Thường Tín transmission line

The 500/220kV Nho Quan – Phú Lý – Thường Tín transmission line project was started in November 2018 and expected to be completed in 2020 which has not yet happened. What is the current situation?

The project is a key and urgent transmission grid project with the goal of enhancing the power load of Hà Nam and Ninh Bình provinces, the southern region of Hà Nội, surrounding areas and 500kV transmission grid system.

The transmission line also helps to reduce power loss in the system, contributing to improving the production efficiency of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and EVNNPT.

EVNNPT has focused on speeding up the progress. Up to now, the progress of site clearance and handover has reached 90 per cent and other works are also in the process of construction.

However, difficulties and obstacles in alignment of the power grid lines, compensation and site clearance have affected the progress of the project, meaning we are running behind schedule.

What are the specific difficulties?

The problem is in planning, land use plan in Ninh Bình Province, and alignment of the power lines in Hà Nam Province. The biggest obstacle which hinders the completion of the project is the overlapping of planning with Tam Chúc National Tourism Site in Hà Nam Province, leading to the adjustment of power lines. 

We have to make a design survey, provide compensation for site clearance, as well as dismantling and moving electricity poles with a series of related procedures.

EVNNPT is closely co-ordinating with the People's Committee of Hà Nam Province and agencies to solve the problem. There is still a lot of work to be done in the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic in the past two years has also negatively affected progress. 

Has this affected the safety of power supply?

It will affect the safety of electricity supply in the provinces of Hà Nam, Ninh Bình and the southern region of Hà Nội as well as reduce the connectivity of the national power grid.

It may pose a risk of overloading when the hot season is approaching, and electricity consumption will increase and production will be restored in safe and flexible adaptation to COVID-19 pandemic.

What solutions does EVNNPT want to propose to local authorities in order to complete the project soon?

The biggest difficulty today is the alignment of the power lines and construction site.

EVNNPT proposes the Hà Nam Province People's Committee, agencies and localities, especially Kim Bảng District, continue coordinating, supporting and creating favourable conditions for EVNNPT and related units to soon have locations for building electricity poles; issue approval documents for alignment of the adjusted sections, speeding up the completion of site clearance.

EVNNPT also needs local co-ordination in handling arising problems in site clearance and construction. — VNS