VietNamNet Bridge – Some 40% of over 1,100 small-scale hydropower projects will be eliminated from the national power development plan due to low efficiency or lack of investor interest, according to a report by the National Assembly’s Science, Technology and Environment Committee.

Small hydropower projects account for around 30% of the total capacity of the system and the remaining 70% is contributed by 113 projects built on major rivers.

According to the committee, most of the small hydropower stations eliminated are those having reported poor economic performance, having been rejected by investors or having failed to lure investors.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has reviewed hydropower projects nationwide for adjustment or cancellation as requested by the National Assembly in last year’s session. The ministry has agreed with local authorities to maintain 899 projects, of which 260 have been up and running, 211 underway, 266 under preparation and 162 undecided.

Concerning the safety of hydropower projects, the report said that violations of design and construction rules have been detected at many small and medium-scale projects. Poor capability and lack of experience of investors have been blamed for these problems.

According to the ministry, aside from the big projects invested by Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), around 50% of hydropower dams are not checked regularly. Some 78.4% of projects have yet to make dam safety reports, 74% have yet to have their dam protection plans approved and 71% have yet to set up flood prevention plans for downstream areas.

The committee has suggested the Government provide more guidelines for energy industry planning, especially the hydropower sector, by reviewing hydropower plant development across the country and present a report to the National Assembly at the year-end session.

Source: SGT