site

VCT Netherlands

89 Laan van Meerdervoort,
2517 AT, The Hague,
The Netherlands

T: +31.70.388 59 65

F: +31.70.388 59 64

E: info@vietnamconsult.nl

W: http://vietnamconsult.nl/

Vietnam mulls impact of hydropower

The government's vow to scrap six large and 418 small projects as part of its hydropower master plan was on Saturday reviewed by the National Assembly (NA) Committee on Science, Technology and Environment in Hanoi. The projects earmarked for scrapping were deemed to offer too little power generation to offset their negative environmental and social impact.

The government has also unanimously suspended work on another 136 projects.

Following the review, Vietnam now has 815 hydropower projects in its national plan, including 268 that are already operational and 205 under construction.

According to initial verification of the plan conducted by the NA committee, planning quality for small-scale plants is generally low.

While small plants account for almost 90 per cent of the total plants in the national master plan, their combined designed capacity provides only 26 per cent of the projected electricity output.

Addressing the session, NA vice chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring national energy security and socio-economic development. She noted that this source of power made up 44 per cent of the national electricity output last year.

Hydroelectricity power plants are also involved in controlling flooding and drought, ensuring a sufficient water supply, job generation and socio-economic development.

However, several recent incidents at hydroelectric power plants were causing public concern, so it was necessary to clarify the responsibilities of stakeholders and the solutions to the problems, the vice chairwoman said.

In regard to land clearance for hydropower plant construction, delegates said facilities in resettlement areas did not meet requirements due to poor quality of farmland and lack of water supply, which was making life difficult for resettled residents. They also suggested that the government report provide more details about incidents at hydro plants, as well as causes of problems, and reveal their environmental impact.

 

Source:  Nation News Network