Circuit 1: Miracle from determination, daring to think, daring to do

In 1990, the power shortage in the South and Central regions began to appear and became increasingly serious. Meanwhile, the North has surplus electricity output again, especially since the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant was completed and put into operation.

Based on the consideration of measures to solve the power shortage in the Central, Southern, and Central Highlands regions and the electricity development plan for 1991-2000, the Government decided to build the  North-South 500kV transmission line. The work would only be meaningful if completed within 2 years because if it took 3-4 years, it could not be compared with building a power plant on site. Therefore, on 5 April 1992, the work was started with the determination of the entire power sector.

With a length of 1,487 km from Hoa Binh to Phu Lam, after 2 years of focusing all efforts, following the method of surveying, designing, importing materials and equipment, and constructing the  North-South 500kV transmission line was energized and put into operation on 27 May  1994. This is the first ultra-high voltage power work, completely new in terms of technique and technology for Vietnam’s power sector. Therefore, the completion of the project in 2 years is a miracle in terms of construction speed, demonstrating the determination, efforts, and intelligence of Vietnamese power workers, highly appreciated by the world. Above all, this miracle comes from historic, bold, and breakthrough decisions demonstrating the strategic and wise vision of the Government.

Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet inspecting erection of  North - South 500kV circuit 1 transmission line. Source: Documentary photo

The national power system from here was formed on the basis of connecting the power grids of the North - Central - South regions through the "backbone" axis of the 500kV transmission line.

Circuit 2: Affirming “Vietnamese brand”

If the 500kV circuit 1 transmission line demonstrates the determination, effort, and intelligence of Vietnam’s power sector, the success of the 500kV circuit 2 line work continues to affirm the “Vietnamese brand” in manufacturing equipment, designing, and constructing ultra-high voltage lines.

The 500kV circuit 2 line was constructed in the period 2001 - 2005. During this period, the 500kV circuit 1 line often operated at overload to transmit power from the Phu My Thermal Power Center to the North. From that reality, EVN leaders boldly submitted to the Government for permission to build 500kV line circuit 2. This was a bold proposal that made many people skeptical about its feasibility: Does Vietnam have the capacity to implement such a large project, when implementing the 500kV circuit 1 line, foreign experts are hired to consult on design, supervise techniques, and directly conduct acceptance tests. At the same time, most materials and equipment are manufactured, produced, and supplied by foreign countries, etc. The entire 500kV circuit 2 line was officially put into operation on 23 September 2005.

Leaders of Vietnam Electricity Corporation and staff and engineers witnessing moment of energizing  Thuong Tin 500kV substation on 23 September 2005, connecting entire  North-South 500kV circuit 2 line. Photo: EVNEIC

It can be said that the early completion of the 500kV circuit 2 work with high quality is the result of the outstanding efforts of the units participating in the project, including the flexible and creative direction and management of EVN and the special mechanism of the Government that allows the design to be approved and construction to be carried out. This is also a work that Vietnamese officials and workers undertake entirely from the design, construction, and manufacturing of steel poles and supervision and acceptance, affirming that the team of Vietnamese officials and engineers can absorb and master new science and technology for large projects requiring high techniques.

Circuit 3: “Unity from top to bottom - Consistency from vertical to horizontal”

The 500kV circuit 3 transmission line project from Quang Trach (Quang Binh) to Pho Noi (Hung Yen) is about 519 km long, including 4 component projects: Quang Trach - Quynh Luu, Quynh Luu - Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh I - Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh I - Pho Noi. This is a double-circuit transmission line that goes through many different terrains, so the construction volume is much larger than other transmission lines that have been implemented, especially since the construction time is also extremely urgent - only more than 6 months!

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has inspected construction site 3 times, chaired meetings 6 times, and issued many telegrams and documents to remove difficulties and obstacles in the construction process for the 500kV circuit 3 transmission line from Quang Trach to Pho Noi. Photo: EVNEIC

The 500kV 3 circuit line - the North-South power transmission “highway” - helps ensure a reliable power supply, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development, and creating miracles of workers in Vietnam’s power sector.

Translator: Hải Yến