Da River has been officially closed to allow for the first-phase of construction on the Lai Chau Hydropower Plant in the province’s Muong Te District.
Electricity Viet Nam is the investor in the 1,200MW project, worth VND35.7 trillion (US$1.8 billion). Construction began early last year for completion in 2017.
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai announced the closure at a ceremony today, while praising the efforts of EVN, builders and local authorities.
There would be many things to do following the river closure, Hai said. He asked the project managers to complete flood prevention works and resettlement of residents in affected areas.
EVN general director Pham Le Thanh said at the ceremony that the plant would add a huge amount of electricity to the national grid, provide water for northern provinces in the dry season and boost the socio-economic development of Lai Chau and its neighbour Dien Bien.
It was estimated that more than 1,700 affected households would be relocated to new areas.
The second river closure is scheduled to occur in November and the first turbine is scheduled to go online in 2016.
The plant has a reservoir of over 1,200cu m. It is expected to provide an average 4,670 million kWh annually.
