VietNamNet Bridge – All of Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau and Hoi Quang-Ban Chat hydroelectric plants are operating stably, safely and are ready for the flood season this year, according to experts.

Water rages at a reservoir of Lai Chau Hydropower Plant in the northern province of Lai Chau. —VNA/VNS Photo Van Hoang

The statement was made at a conference of the science and technology consultancy committee about hydroelectricity safety held on Tuesday in Hanoi. Chaired by Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, the event aiming to assess hydroelectric plants’ condition was held as floods had caused serious consequences in northern provinces recently.

The floods, which began on Saturday night, have left 21 dead, nine missing and 12 injured in Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Ha Giang and Cao Bang provinces.

Members of the consultancy committee said that after checking Hoi Quang-Ban Chat hydroelectric plant, they found that the plant was supplemented with automatic measuring equipment, and other equipment at different places.

Minister Anh confirmed that although the water level in upper reaches of rivers had reached record levels during the past 20 years, the hydroelectric plants worked safely.

Anh added that reports from the Electricity of Vietnam and management boards of the Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau and Hoi Quang-Ban Chat hydroelectric plants assessed that all of them worked stably.

Flood prevention work for the plants had been prepared carefully.

Anh asked the people’s committees of Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces to meet consultancy committee and instruct concerned local organisations in ensuring safety for irrigation works.

The committee should hold field trips to monitor the scene and assess problems of dams and hydroelectric plants’ reservoirs. The committee must propose methods to improve any problems, and consult the Ministry of Science and Technology to conduct scientific research related to floods forecast, prevention and control.

Anh also proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Electricity of Vietnam to issue the operation process for reservoirs for the Da River hydroelectricity plants.

A pilot centre for checking situation of the hydroelectric plants should be set up this year, he said.

Source: VNS