Part 2: Quickly taking over power facilities, completing major works (Period 1976 - 1985)

In the early years of national reunification, the takeover of power facilities was carried out quickly and synchronously with other industries. On the one hand, the Electricity industry established a general survey program and developed a master plan for electricity in newly liberated areas, and on the other hand, continued to provide maximum support to the South and Central regions. In addition, by implementing the Master Plan for Power Development Phase 1, the Electricity industry completed on schedule large works of national strategic importance in terms of power sources and grids.

Period 1976 - 1980

In the North, most power sources were restored. The Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant continued to be expanded. Important industrial zones were equipped with additional local sources by the Electricity industry, such as installing oil-fired gas turbines for An Lac (Hai Phong), transferring a series of diesel generators from the South to supplement Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, and the same time promoting the survey, exploration and construction of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant (1979) and Pha Lai Thermal Power Plant (1980).

On 6 November 1979, tens of thousands of Vietnamese cadres, workers, and 186 Soviet experts attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant. The project was supported 8 turbines with a total capacity of 1,920MW by the Soviet Union.

Regarding the power grid: the Electricity industry restored and completed 110kV substations, built the first new 220kV power line in the North, expanded the distribution grid, and improved the low-voltage grid of major cities, especially in the Hanoi capital. The total length of the 110kV transmission grid was increased to 846km, and the total length of the 35kV grid increased to 3,000km.

The Ha Dong - Hoa Binh 220kV power line was commenced in March 1979 and put into operation in May 1981. This is the first 220kV transmission line in the North, improving the transmission capacity, supplying electricity, and creating a technical basis for the construction of the North-South 500kV  super high voltage line later.

First Ha Dong - Hoa Binh 220kV power line. Source: cosodulieu.evn.com.vn

Regarding the load, the capacity used by the central industry increased by more than 1.6 times, the local industry increased by more than 1.4 times, and the capacity used for irrigation increased by 1.2 times. However, the border war (17 February 1979) caused severe damage to many power facilities in the border areas. Lao Cai Power Plant (8MW) was completely destroyed. Hydropower stations in the Ha Tuyen area and many power lines and substations in Lang Son were severely damaged.

In the Central region, during this period, the Electricity industry restored diesel stations, built the Dong Hoi diesel power plant (14MW), improved old and dilapidated power grid locations, built a new Hue - Dong Hoi 35kV power line, and developed a 15kV power grid to serve agriculture and people's daily life.

In the South, the Northern technical staff and workers mobilized to support successfully completed the restoration of the Da Nhim Hydropower Plant, ensuring 34% of the capacity for the whole region, contributing an additional output of 1,280 million kWh/year since the end of 1976.

With the French capital, the Electricity industry built and expanded the 230kV power line from Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, the transmission grid was upgraded from 15kV to 66kV to 110kV to serve the provinces in the East and Southwest.

Period 1981 - 1985

On 23 April  1981, the Government issued Decree No. 170/CP establishing the Ministry of Electricity as a Government agency with the function of managing the Electricity industry nationwide. Mr. Pham Khai was appointed as Minister. On 9 May 1981, the Minister of Electricity decided to change the names of the Northern, Southern, and Central electricity companies to Electricity Company 1, Electricity Company 2, and Electricity Company 3, respectively. The regional electricity distribution management departments were changed to provincial and municipal electricity departments.

From 1981 to 1985, in the North, Pha Lai Thermal Power Plant was put into operation on schedule, ensuring stability for the system. The Electricity Industry deployed the construction of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, consolidating Ninh Binh and Thai Nguyen thermal power plants, exploiting the full capacity of the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant, etc. In the 80s and 90s of the 20th century, Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant is considered the "project of the century" of the country and world stature. On 12 January 1983, the river damming ceremony phase 1 was solemnly held with the presence of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Pham Van Dong, and leaders of the Party and State.

Regarding the power grid, the Thanh Hoa - Vinh, Pha Lai - Ha Dong 220kV power lines, Ha Dong 110kV, and 220kV substations were put into operation ahead of schedule. Many intermediate substations and distribution lines were installed and put into operation in time, creating conditions for Pha Lai to continue putting new generators into operation.

 In the Central region, the main focus is still on consolidating and promoting available diesel sources. The Central region's electricity output has not increased much: 154 million kWh (in 1981) to 249 million kWh (in 1985). Annual electricity purchases of the South range from 30.1 million kWh (1981) to 78.2 million kWh (1985).

In the South, taking advantage of existing power sources, overhauling and replacing old equipment, to increase capacity, overcoming the situation of rotating power outages.

On 30 April  1984, the construction of the Tri An Hydropower Plant on Dong Nai River (400MW) was started. In 1985, the construction of the Dray H'Linh Hydroelectric Plant on the Srepok River (12MW) was started.

Regarding the power grid improvement, prioritizing power supply to key households, and reducing electricity usage are temporary measures while new power sources have not been put into operation. Therefore, in this period, the capacity and electricity output increased insignificantly.

We invite readers to continue following Part 3: The national power grid runs smoothly from North to South via the 500kV ultra-high voltage line, circuit 1 (Period 1986-1994)

Translator: Hải Yến