500 kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen Power Line inaugurated: A key project for national energy security
WVR - On October 17, the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) inaugurated the 500 kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power line project in Xuan Quang commune, Lao Cai province. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc.
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| Delegates perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power line project. (Source: EVN) |
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power line project is a national key project, featuring a double-circuit 500kV line with a total length of 229.5km and 468 tower foundations.
The project traverses two provinces: Lao Cai and Phu Tho (previously four provinces: Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc). The line begins at the 500kV Lao Cai substation and ends at the 500kV Vinh Yen substation.
The project has a total investment of over 7,410 billion VND, funded by a loan from the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) covering 80% and EVN's counterpart fund covering 20% of the total investment.
To ensure synchronized and efficient operation, the second phase of the 500kV Lao Cai substation project, with a total investment of over 1,564 billion VND, has also been completed by EVN. This includes the construction and energization of the 500kV distribution yard and transformer to synchronize with the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power line project.
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| Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc speaks at the ceremony. (Source: EVN) |
Strategic energy bridge in the Northwest
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc emphasized the project's special significance in ensuring national energy security. It concretizes the Politburo's directive in Resolution No. 70 on ensuring national energy security and the Government's commitment to consistently ensuring uninterrupted power supply, preventing power shortages under any circumstances. This provides a solid foundation to boost growth over 8% in 2025 and double-digit growth in the following years.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that Vietnam's socio-economic growth targets during this period require the electricity sector to focus on development, increasing annual power generation capacity by about 15-18% (equivalent to 8,000-10,000 MW) to ensure power supply for economic development and attract domestic and foreign investment.
This past summer, the North experienced extreme heat, with the national power system's peak consumption reaching a record 54,500 MW on August 4, 2025, an increase of about 5,000 MW, or 10%, compared to the same period in 2024. This underscores the critical need for electricity for production, business, and daily life, especially given the frequent and unpredictable weather changes.
In response, the 500 kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power line project is of particular importance, promptly enhancing transmission capacity by about 3,000 MW from hydropower plants in the Northwest and neighboring provinces to the national grid. It will also meet future electricity cooperation needs with China, ensuring proactive, flexible management and balancing of power supply, thereby securing national energy security.
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| The 500kV Lao Cai substation in Xuan Quang commune, Lao Cai province. (Source: EVN) |
Rapid construction, "victory upon deployment"
Under the direct and decisive guidance of the Prime Minister and relevant ministries, along with the localities the project passes through, and with high determination and decisive action, EVN, the Power Project Management Board 1, and contractors completed the project in just over 6 months, shortening nearly 8 months from the approved schedule.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed: "This is a proud achievement, reflecting the more than 70-year glorious revolutionary tradition of the electricity sector. It demonstrates the determination, maturity, and remarkable growth of the electricity sector, which mobilized over 5,000 engineers, workers, and laborers working day and night to rapidly complete the project."
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc praised the spirit and determination of EVN, the Power Project Management Board 1, consulting and construction contractors, material suppliers, and related units. He also commended the local police, military forces, Military Region 2, militia, and youth unions for supporting the electricity sector for many months to ensure the project's quality and progress with the spirit of "victory upon deployment".
Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged and thanked the people and ethnic communities in the localities for supporting the project, giving up land for this national key project. He also appreciated the responsibility, proactiveness, and decisiveness of the governments of Lao Cai and Phu Tho provinces (formerly including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc), and the active involvement of the entire political system from provincial to commune and ward levels where the power line passes through.
In the future, the Deputy Prime Minister requested EVN and EVNPMB1 to coordinate with local authorities to effectively restore and clean the environment, organize the operation of the 500 kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power line and the national power system safely and efficiently. He also urged EVN to continue investing in developing power sources and grid systems to ensure a stable and sufficient power supply for socio-economic development, actively participating in social welfare, and stabilizing people's lives.
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| Representatives of units and localities speak at the ceremony. (Source: VGP) |
Inspiring and connecting willpower
At the event, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Phan Van Anh praised the success of the emulation movement to build the 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power line under the theme "Three Pioneers – Two Responsibilities". This success is the result of a journey of effort and decisive leadership, the power of unity, and the responsibility of each union member and worker, forming a unified bloc. The project truly becomes a flame of inspiration, connecting the willpower of thousands of officials, engineers, and workers, fostering the spirit of unity and determination with a shared aspiration: "Complete as soon as possible, safest, and most efficient".
"Today, the electricity from the project not only brings light everywhere but also spreads faith, aspiration, and the 'resilient, creative, united' Vietnamese spirit. From the light of this project, we will continue to illuminate new projects, further spreading the spirit of patriotic emulation among workers, officials, and laborers nationwide, contributing to realizing the aspiration for a prosperous and happy nation," emphasised Phan Van Anh with confidence.
Representing the localities where the power line passes, Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Tran Huy Tuan affirmed that the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power line is not only a major technical project and a national key project for Lao Cai province but also a vivid symbol of "the Party's will, the people's support". It is a project of happiness and aspiration, reflecting the spirit of solidarity, joint effort, proactiveness, dynamism, and creativity of the political system and people in the province in tackling major and challenging tasks.
"From the success of implementing this project, in the future, Lao Cai province commits to the Government and the Prime Minister to continue accompanying, closely coordinating, and creating the most favorable conditions for projects in the area, especially national key projects," stated Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Tran Huy Tuan.
During the program, EVN announced the Decision to commend 11 collectives and 25 individuals for their outstanding achievements contributing to the project's success.
Subsequently, the Vietnam Electricity Group respectfully presented financial support for social welfare work to Lao Cai and Phu Tho provinces, with each province receiving 1 billion VND. This gesture reflects EVN's gratitude and social responsibility, aiming to assist localities in improving welfare infrastructure, enhancing people's living standards, and sustainably developing the socio-economy.
With the spirit of rapid deployment, "victory upon deployment", the 500 kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen power line project was completed ahead of schedule and put into operation, thereby creating momentum, inspiring, and contributing to the successful implementation of strategic breakthroughs in developing strategic infrastructure towards welcoming the 14th National Party Congress.
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| The Deputy Prime Minister presents gifts to the units participating in the project. (Source: VGP) |
