Construction of 500kV Lao Cai substation and 220kV connection lines: The sprint

This is a very important project to release the capacity of small hydropower sources in the Northwest to the national power system to ensure power supply for the North since this year's hot season. The whole construction site is currently making efforts and determination to complete phase 1 in March 2023.

Basically follow the progress

The project of Lao Cai 500kV substation and 220kV connection line was invested in and built by EVN to release the capacity of small hydropower sources in the Northwest and neighboring provinces (Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Yen Bai), support electricity import when necessary while reducing the load on the existing Son La - Hiep Hoa, Son La - Nho Quan 500kV transmission lines. The project has a total investment of more than VND 1,564 billion, of which 80% is borrowed from domestic commercial banks and 20% from EVN's counterpart capital.

In the first phase of the project, a 220kV switchyard and 220kV connection lines are going to be built. In phase 2, a 500kV switchyard is going to be built and the entire project is going to be completed. It is expected to energize the project on QIV/2024 (synchronizing with Lao Cai - Vinh Yen 500kV transmission line project).

EVN delegation inspecting and listening to construction progress report of location 24 of 220kV transmission lines connected to Lao Cai 500kV substation.

Mr. Do Quang Khai - Deputy Director of Power Project Management Board 1 (PMB1, under Vietnam Electricity) - the unit assigned to manage and operate the project said: Up to now, Lao Cai 500kV substation has been completed and handed over 100% of ground for construction contractors. For the 220kV connection line, 47/51 foundation positions have been handed over to the construction contractor.

Regarding the construction progress, 100% of the substation's ground area has been completed and handed over, and the primary equipment installation has been completed, the secondary equipment installation and the cables pulling and the connection are underway. For the 220kV connection line, 38/51 pole positions have been completed, 9 positions are being erected and started wire pulling.

Delegation inspecting and listening to construction progress report at Lao Cai 500kV substation

Which solution to complete?

In order to speed up the construction progress and compensate for the delayed volume, Mr. Do Quang Khai - Deputy Director of PMB1 said: The unit organizes site inspection sessions and progress review meetings with the contractor consortium to speed up the construction progress; urges the contractor to continue to mobilize more human resources (drivers, machine drivers and technicians) and equipment to the site for all construction points to meet the construction progress according to the actual situation, especially grounding construction, substation leveling, fence, roof and drainage ditch reinforcement, the road in the substation, water supply and drainage, the road to the substation.

Up to now, the construction and installation of the primary equipment have been completed. The contractor consortium mobilized all human resources, means and machinery to rush the construction, complete the remaining work so that the project can be energized before March 31, 2023, to meet the set requirements.

A representative of the Power Construction No. 2 Joint Stock Company, the construction unit of the connection line, said: Currently, the unit is mobilizing the maximum force, divided into many teams to accelerate the construction of the poles, wires pulling and pledging to complete in March 2023.