Bringing electric power to the villages.
In 2017, Bac Kan province invested capital to set electric poles, install electric wires to the village, install power meters, electric panels, energy saving light bulbs free for each home. Thom Nien village is brightened up with electric light.
The electrical workers in Pac Nam District inspecting electricity system for people of Thom Nien village, Co Linh commune
Bringing electric power to the mountainous villages and hamlets of Bac Kan province is a brilliant feat when the villages are located on the mountain slope. Workers have to use hoist, manpower pulling each pole, transformer to the top of mountain, use ascension gun to “hang” the electric wire on to the poles between two mountains.
Director of Pac Nam Power Company Nghiem Van Khanh said that the cost of completing 1km of power line in this mountainous area was equivalent to the cost of more than 3km of power line in the delta provinces. Besides, workers make great efforts in performing the installation; many people get injured during transporting materials to the mountain by their shoulders and hands. Presently, the percentage of households using electric power has increased to 87% with 6,073 households.
In 2013, Bac Kan was invested nearly 300 billion dongs to carry out projects of bringing electricity to villages in mountainous areas where there was no electricity with an average investment of VND 60 million per household. After nearly 5 years of implementation, the project has installed 99 new 35/0.4kV three-phase substations with a total capacity of 3,798.5kVA; more than 239km of 35kV line. The project has brought electricity to 149 villages with 5,268 households in 57 communes and 1 town in seven districts, raising the percentage of households using power to over 97%.
In 2018, the province continues to invest more than VND 320 billion to implement power supply projects for 3,524 households in 120 villages out of 41 communes and towns in seven districts with an average investment VND 120 million per household. The project installed more than 691km of 35kV medium voltage line and low voltage line; installed 73 substations with a capacity of 2,929.5kVA; installed free of charge 3,524 new meters; stretched a 193km line after the meter. Bac Can strives to increase the percentage of households using electricity to 98% by 2020.
Supporting local people
Bringing electricity to villages in the mountainous area of Bac Kan province does not bring attractive business profit to the power industry. There are only about 20 households in many villages; hence, small power consumption can’t cover the costs of installation and construction. Many households couldn’t afford electricity bill even though power line was installed in the house.
Director of Ba Be Power Company Trang Quay Dung said that when electricity was brought to the village, the power company installed electric wires to the village, installed power meters, electric panels, energy-saving light bulbs free of charge for each house. At the same time, technical staff and workers gave detail instruction on the safe use of electricity to people. Since 2014 up to now, Bac Kan Power Company has installed free of charge electricity meters, switchboards and light bulbs for 5,286 households.
Bac Kan effectively implemented support policies on electricity bill for poor households and families under preferential treatment regime. Thereby, each household is supported 46,000VND/month, equivalent to 30kWh, based on the first level retail electricity price. Quarterly, such people receive financial assistance at the Head quarters of Provincial People’s Committee. In year 2016 - 2017, the province has supported more than 80 thousand turns of poor households and families under preferential treatment regime with more than VND 17 billion; in 2018, it continues to support nearly VND13 billion.
With more than 240 electricity bill payment points in 122 communes, wards and towns, the related travel time and expenses are shortened. Head of Ban Cam No.1 Village (Cao Thuong Commune, Ba Be District) Trieu Van Xien said that the village has 15 poor families who are now accessing electricity, which facilitates the form household economic development thanks to the support from power company. There is a center for electricity bill payment so electrical staff come to the center every month. People here are very excited since they don’t have to travel far at tens of kilometers for paying electricity bill.
Director of Bac Kan Power Company Duong Quang Son said that bringing electricity to hamlets and villages in Bac Kan province met difficulties due to complicated terrain and weather; there is no road built in the areas with no electricity so the construction and installation is mainly manual. In addition, the site clearance is still in slow progress, needs to be adjusted and supplemented with solutions, much realignment of line since there is no detailed planning. The company closely cooperated with the province to soon complete project of power supply to the remaining villages and hamlets; Arranging from 30 to 50 VND each year to repair and maintain the power grid. The company determined that bringing electricity to mountainous villages and hamlets is a political task, not for business purpose. At the same time, power meters, electric panels and light bulbs will be further installed free of charge for local people.