At its inception, the Central Power Company was in a position of weakness, with poor and outdated infrastructure. In 1976, its commercial electricity output was less than 100 million kWh. From 1976 to 1985, the Central Power Company constructed and commissioned the 14MW Dong Hoi Power Plant, while mainly focusing on receiving and installing diesel generators relocated from both the South and the North, and repairing existing broken equipment. Even so, these efforts only managed to compensate for machines that had to be retired each year. Projects such as the 20MW Bong Son Thermal Power Plant and the 120MW Da Nang Thermal Power Plant were prepared but eventually canceled, while the 12MW Dray H’linh Hydropower Plant was still in its early stages of construction.

Regarding the power grid, the company built the new Hue-Dong Hoi 35kV power line, along with several 15kV lines, and carried out rehabilitation and upgrades to urban and township grids that had become overloaded and dilapidated, though on a limited scale. Preparations also began for the construction of the Dong Hoi-Hue 110kV transmission line.

On May 9, 1981, under Decision No. 15 DL/TCCB-3, the Ministry of Electricity renamed the Central Power Company to Power Company No. 3.

General Vo Nguyen Giap poured first batch of concrete for construction of Hue-Da Nang 110kV transmission line (1987)

Major power projects

From 1988 to 1990, the Central region’s power supply was reinforced with 74 diesel generators, adding 69MW of capacity. Construction of the Vinh-Da Nang 220-110kV transmission line began in November 1987 and was completed in August 1990, bringing electricity from the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant to four provinces from Quang Binh to Da Nang. In January 1992, the Northern grid was further extended to Quang Ngai. In April 1992, the Da Nhim-Nha Trang 110kV transmission line was energized, and by August 1993, electricity reached Binh Dinh province. In January 1994, the Nha Trang-Tuy Hoa line 110kV was commissioned, delivering power from Da Nhim to Phu Yen province.

Alongside the construction of 220kV and 110kV lines and substations, the historic North-South 500kV transmission line was launched in April 1992 and completed its first phase in May 1994. At 19:07 on May 27, 1994, the national power system was synchronized at the Da Nang 500kV substation, transmitting electricity from Hoa Binh to Ho Chi Minh City. On September 19, 1994, the Central region officially received power from the national grid via the Da Nang 500kV substation. On November 12, 1994, the Pleiku 500kV substation, together with the Quy Nhon-Pleiku 220-110kV line and substations, was completed, enabling the Central Highlands and South Central provinces to receive electricity through the Pleiku hub.

On hydropower development, the Dray H’Linh Plant was completed in September 1990, followed by An Diem (September 1991) and Vinh Son (November 1994), while construction of the Ialy Hydropower Plant commenced in November 1993.

Particularly, with the completion of the North-South 500kV transmission line, the Central region was fully integrated into the national power system, unlocking a continuous energy flow across all three regions of Vietnam and creating a vital impetus for the rural electrification process in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands.

Business arrangement and restructuring

On February 5, 2010, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 739/QD-BCT to establish the parent company - Central Power Corporation (abbreviated as EVNCPC) on the basis of transforming the operational model of Power Company No. 3 and taking over the state capital ownership representation in Da Nang Power One-Member Limited Liability Company and Khanh Hoa Power Joint Stock Company, comprising 18 dependent units, 03 subsidiaries and 06 affiliated companies.

Bringing electricity to 100% of communes, lighting up remote islands

Inheriting and promoting the achievements of the past 50 years, EVNCPC has continuously developed and grown stronger. The power grid system at voltage levels up to 110kV has extended to localities, covering 100% of districts, 100% of communes, wards, villages, hamlets, with more than 99.91% of households having access to electricity; among them, rural households being electrified account for 99.86%. The number of electricity customers has reached 4.9 million.

EVNCPC has carried out many projects to rehabilitate urban power grids using its own funds as well as loans from international financial institutions such as WB, ADB, Sida, and KfW.

For rural and mountainous areas, EVNCPC has been implementing many electrification projects aimed at promoting economic development and improving the living standards of the people. In particular, in 2007, EVNCPC implemented the project of supplying electricity to unelectrified villages in the Central Highlands provinces. The project was completed by the end of 2009, bringing electricity to more than 62,646 households of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. This was a Group A project with a wide scale, spanning 43 districts and towns, 852 villages and hamlets, but was highly appreciated for its rapid progress, meeting the schedule approved by the Prime Minister.

In addition, EVN implemented the project “Supplying grid-connected electricity to Ly Son island district by submarine cable.” The entire project had a total investment cost of VND 678.7 billion. On September 28, 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung presided over the energization and inauguration ceremony, putting the project into operation, meeting the long-standing expectations of more than 22,000 residents on Ly Son island.

The project to supply grid-connected electricity to Cu Lao Cham island, Quang Nam province (former), by submarine cable was approved in principle by the Government in May 2014. The project had a total investment cost of VND 484.815 billion. On January 9, 2016, the project was started. After 9 months of intense construction, on September 3, 2016, the project was successfully tested, energized and connected Cu Lao Cham island to the national power grid.

Bringing national power grid to Nhon Chau island

On the journey of supplying electricity to sea and island areas, in 2020, EVNCPC successfully implemented the project of supplying electricity by submarine cable to Nhon Chau island commune, Quy Nhon City, former Binh Dinh province, now Gia Lai province. The total project cost was more than VND 351 billion from non-refundable ODA granted by the European Union. The project was implemented from April 2020; energized on August 18, 2020; and the completion ceremony was held on October 10, 2020, supplying electricity to more than 600 households and agencies, organizations on the island.

For Con Co island district, Quang Tri province, EVNCPC took over and began operating the electricity supply system on August 10, 2017. Currently, Con Co special zone has 04 diesel generators (2x500kVA + 2x100kVA) and a rooftop solar power system with a capacity of 55kWp, ensuring 24/24 electricity supply to meet the production and living needs of officials, soldiers, and residents.

Pioneering in applying modern technology, promoting sustainable development

In recent years, the Corporation has consistently focused on applying scientific and technological advances and new technologies in production, with many initiatives and technical improvements; it has organized the development and application of a management system according to ISO 9001:2008 standards. The Corporation has applied live-line maintenance technology for electrical equipment and power grids; put into operation remote control centers for the 110kV grid at all member Power Companies; and converted 100% of 110kV substations to unmanned operation.

EVNCPC has directed research and successfully produced electronic meters and developed modern, automatic metering technologies that can be operated remotely. With efforts and achievements in research, production, and the application of new technologies in power system operation and management, the automation level of EVNCPC’s power grid has been increasingly enhanced. Currently, 100% of Power Companies have SCADA systems and control centers; 100% of sectionalizing devices capable of SCADA connection have been linked to control centers; and 100% of customers have been equipped with electronic meters integrated with automatic remote metering technology.

EVNCPC was the first among the five power corporations of EVN to officially implement e-electricity services for 100% of its member Power Companies from October 14, 2019, applying digital signatures for all electricity services for enterprises and OTP verification for individual customers.

EVNCPC has successfully self-produced electric vehicle charging stations, a step forward in promoting renewable energy applications, supporting consumers in exploring the use of electric cars, and contributing to environmental protection.

The results of EVNCPC’s smart grid implementation, as evaluated by Singapore Power Group (SPGroup) based on the SGI criteria, have shown significant improvement in recent years.

EVNCPC’s General Director Ngo Tan Cu represents Corporation to receive Viet Nam Digital Awards 2022

With the motto of attracting customers to participate in digital communication channels and ensuring customer satisfaction through these channels, EVNCPC has constantly strived to create innovative digital transformation (DX) solutions for the benefit of customers.

In 2022, EVNCPC was honored to receive the Viet Nam Digital Awards with the solution “Automatic collection, provision, warning, and consultation of electricity usage information for customers”, in the category of digital transformation products and solutions for the community.

On June 22, 2025, EVNCPC was honored among the Top Enterprises in Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation 2025.

In recent years, EVNCPC has been rated at “BB” and “BB+” by Fitch Ratings. Achieving Fitch Ratings’ credit ratings serves as an independent and objective measure of financial health, strengthening the credibility of Central Power Corporation with domestic and international partners, thereby facilitating investment, development, and enhancement of power supply capacity.

With a sustainable development orientation, EVNCPC has early focused on developing clean and renewable energy sources, gradually realizing the Net-Zero commitment made by Viet Nam.

EVNCPC always pays attention to social security and community-oriented activities, with annual budgets of tens of billions of VND allocated for these initiatives. Recently, during the period 2021-2025, from welfare funds, business production, mutual support funds, and voluntary contributions of more than 11,000 employees, EVNCPC has allocated more than VND 411 billion for social security activities, including support for Covid-19 prevention and control within its management areas.

Power Company No. 3 - predecessor of Central Power Corporation - awarded title “Labor Hero of the Renewal Period” in 2004

Over the past 50 years, the Central Power Corporation has achieved remarkable accomplishments. The leadership team and all employees of the Corporation have continuously contributed to building a stronger power industry, serving the needs of economic and social development, national defense and security, and improving the living standards of the people in the Central-Central Highlands region.

Translator: Vân Ly