Mr. Nguyen Van Bac, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade (DOIT), said: In 2024, DOIT was assigned to be the investor of rural electricity sub-projects from the national grid worth nearly VND 80 billion. To date, the plan to supply power to 2,378 households has been completed, of which 798 are newly invested and 1,580 households are upgraded. In addition, DOIT proactively advised on adjusting some contents of the sub-project, submitted to the Provincial People's Committee to propose to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to invest from the Vietnam - EU Sustainable Energy Transition Program (SETP Program) for about 2,000 households; at the same time, the Provincial People's Committee approved the addition of the contractor selection plan for the sub-project in 12 communes in two districts of Phu Yen and Bac Yen.

Son La Power Company was assigned by Northern Power Corporation to manage 54 projects, focusing on renovation, overload prevention, capacity increase of substations, installation of equipment to improve reliability, and construction of new substations, capacity increase of 110kV substations, and construction of feeders after 110kV substations. To date, 24 projects have been completed and put into use, 17 other projects are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, and the remaining 9 projects will be completed in the second quarter of 2025.

Workers of Son La Power Company checking power grid system in Moc Ly ward, Moc Chau town.

Mr. Pham Hong Toai, Head of Project Management Board of Son La Power Company, said: Regarding low-voltage grid projects, the Company has completed 3 renovation projects in Thuan Chau, Quynh Nhai, Song Ma and Muong La districts with a total investment of more than VND 9 billion, helping to improve electricity quality and safety for 325 households. Four other projects are being implemented in Muong La, Mai Son, Yen Chau, Song Ma and Sop Cop districts with a total investment of VND15.6 billion, expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, serving 615 households. In addition, the Company has completed the installation of new meters for 5,325 households.

For 110kV projects, the company cooperates with the Northern Power Construction Project Management Board to implement them. To date, the Son La 2 110kV substation has been energized, the transformer capacity upgrading projects in Phu Yen, Thuan Chau, Moc Chau and the installation of Transformer T2 in Song Ma are under construction and expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. The Van Ho 110kV transmission line and substation project, expected to be completed in December 2025, will help reduce the load on the Moc Chau 110kV substation, improving the power supply capacity for Moc Chau and Van Ho districts.

Implementing the province's direction on integrating capital sources of national target programs, districts, and cities have proactively balanced and arranged capital sources from the budget and mobilized other capital sources to implement 28 projects, with a total capital of more than VND 78 billion, supplying power to 2,057 households. In addition, the Project on resettlement of residents in disaster areas has allocated capital to implement 12 projects, supplying power to 486 households in disaster-affected areas.

To date, districts and cities have completed projects to supply electricity to 3,072 households, including new investment for 480 households and upgrading and investing in safe electricity for 2,592 households, from local budget sources. Typically, Muong La district has completed and connected electricity to 538 households, raising the rate of households supplied with electricity to 99.87% and 99.55% of households using safe electricity, ensuring social security and socio-economic development of the district.

By 2025, Son La province aims to supply power to 10,440 households and increase the rate of safe electricity use to over 99%. With high determination, Son La will complete the set goals, making an important contribution to the local socio-economic development.

Translator: Mạnh Hùng