Part 1: Power Sector and people join hands in building socialism in the North (1954-1975)

On July 20, 1954, the Geneva Agreement on Restoring Peace in Indochina was signed. The country was temporarily divided into two regions, with the 17th parallel as the boundary. In the North, the Power Sector and the people join hands in building socialism. In the South, Electricity was still under the US-Puppet government.

Uncle Ho visited Yen Phu Power Plant Operation Center in 1954. Source: cosodulieu.evn.com.vn

* Northern region:

The first years of takeover (1954-1960): The first management agency of the young Vietnamese Power Sector at this time was the Electricity Department, established in 1955. The Director of the Electricity Department during the 1955-1961 period was Mr. Ho Quy Dien. After taking over the power plants from the French, the main task of the Power Sector during this period was to repair and overhaul old equipment of the power plants, consolidate, renovate, and repair some unreasonable power production lines.

The power transmission lines Hanoi-Son Tay, Hanoi-Ha Dong, Pho Noi-Hung Yen, and Thai Binh-Nam Dinh were restored. The legacy 30.5kV Hanoi-Hai Phong line was upgraded to 35kV and hundreds of kilometers of new 35kV lines were built, bringing electricity to industrial zones and serving agricultural production.

The first 110kV line in the North was also built during this period. In 1963, Dong Anh - Viet Tri, the first 110kV line was completed, together with the following 110kV lines forming a 110kV grid connecting 9 power plants (Yen Phu, Viet Tri, Thai Nguyen, Uong Bi, Thuong Ly, Cua Cam, Coc 5, Bac Giang, and Thac Ba) in the North into a power generation and transmission system with a total capacity of 130MW (not including 3 independently operating thermal power plants Vinh, Lao Cai, and Thanh Hoa). This was the brilliant development period of the power system before the US launched a war to destroy the North.

Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Nam Dinh power plants reorganized production and improved enterprise management. New power plants were built during this period: In 1956, power plants of Lao Cai (8MW), Ham Rong (6MW), Vinh (8MW) were built. In 1959, the construction of Viet Tri Power Plant 16MW began.

Enterprises in the Power Sector were reorganized according to the fields: Power Generation and Power Transmission - Distribution. Workshops for repairing mechanical and electrical equipment and transformers, and materials and transportation enterprises were established one after another. Intermediate Technical School I - the first formal training institution of the Power Sector was established in 1955, based on taking over the Hanoi Practical Engineering School.

The Power Sector implemented the first 5-year plan (1961-1965): A series of new power plants came into operation. By 1965, the total installed capacity of power plants in the North reached 161MW, with an electricity output of 659 million kWh. Thousands of kilometers of 35kV inter-provincial lines were built, and the 110kV high-voltage grid-connected power plants with a total length of 260km.

Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant (TPP) - the first large thermal power plant in the North, was commenced on May 19, 1961. This was a key project of the State, the largest thermal power plant of the Northern Power Sector at that time, with the help of the Soviet Union in construction, equipment supply, and cadres and workers training. The first phase of Uong Bi TPP was inaugurated after a 970-day and night construction campaign. On September 2, 1965, the second phase was inaugurated, bringing the total capacity of both phases to 48MW. After the country was completely liberated, the plant overcame the consequences of the war and continued to expand the third phase (1975) and the fourth phase (1976). By the end of 1976, the total capacity of the plant was 153MW, becoming the main source of electricity in the North. (Since 2002, Uong Bi TPP has continued to invest in expanding its capacity 2 more times (total capacity 630MW), bringing the total capacity of the plant to 740MW, playing the role of one of the important thermal power sources of the national power system).

 In 1964, the Northern Power Sector commenced Thac Ba Hydropower Plant with a capacity of 108MW, including 3 units of 36MW, with the aid of the Soviet Union. This was a key project of the First Five-Year Plan (1961-1965). The first phase of the plant was inaugurated and put into operation on October 5, 1971, and was fully completed in May 1972. This was not the first hydropower project in our country, but it was the first large-capacity hydropower project and also the largest at that time, opening the hydropower exploitation program of the Vietnam Power Sector. This is also considered the cradle for training key cadres of the Power Sector in hydropower.

At this time, the Power Sector was able to transmit electricity to large cities, industrial zones, delta provinces, and some midland provinces to develop industry and agriculture, initially improving life, culture, society, etc.

The emergence of power plants during this period led to the formation of a series of power management and distribution departments, based on separating these functions from power plants. The power line and substation construction industry was also born during this period. This was the basis for the establishment of large companies in the three regions of the country later.

A decade of production and fighting (1965-1975): After two destructive wars, the Northern Power Industry had to cope with 1,652 bombing raids by American aircraft. Most of the power facilities in the North were severely damaged. Three power plants, Cot 5 (Hon Gai), Cua Cam (Hai Phong), and Nam Dinh, were completely destroyed. After the singing of the Paris Agreement (1973), the Power Sector, along with other industries, entered a period of production recovery, healing the wounds of war, and preparing material and technical conditions to enter a new stage.

Employees of Yen Phu Power Plant restored production after bombing in 1967. Source: cosodulieu.evn.com.vn

By the end of 1975, the total power capacity of the system in the North reached 451MW, with an output of 1,264 million kWh. Electricity serving industry, agriculture, and other important economic sectors accounted for 80%, while consumption accounted for 15%.

* Central region: In the Central region, before 1975, most of the electricity was managed by the Indochina Water and Electricity Company in the Central Region (SIPEA) and the Vietnam Electricity Company (CDV). The entire region did not have any high-voltage transmission grid.

Due to many difficulties in terms of infrastructure and technology, combined with harsh weather and 30 years of continuous war, the economy in the Central region could not develop. By the time the South was liberated, the electricity consumption in the Central Power had only reached an average of 13kWh/person/year.

* Southern region: Before the liberation (April 30, 1975), electricity in the South was mainly used for lighting, consumption in Saigon, and as a shield for the US-Puppet war machine. The average consumption was 80 kWh/person/year.

The power grid consists of 3 voltage levels: 230kV, 66kV, and 15kV. The total length of the transmission grid is 800km, of which 257km is 230kV line and 543km is 66kV line divided into 3 independent operating areas: East, West, and Highlands. The distribution grid is concentrated in Saigon city and major provincial capitals.

On April 30, 1975, the South was completely liberated, the Revolutionary Government took over the power facilities in the South and unified the national Power Sector.

On December 21, 1954, despite being busy after more than 2 months of taking over the capital, Uncle Ho visited the Bo Ho Lighting Factory and Yen Phu Power Plant. This event became a historical milestone and on October 12, 2009, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1594/QD-TTg to make December 21 every year the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Power Sector.

We invite readers to continue following Part 2: Quickly taking over power facilities, completing major projects (1976-1985)

Translator: Thu Hường