Chiem Hoa hydro-power station, Việt Nam’s first green hydro-power plant, has opened in the northern province of Tuyen Quang after nearly three years of construction.
The plant is the first to use a reduced supply of water with a low differentiation between the reservoir and the dam. According to power expert Bui Thuc Khiet, using less water helps maintain river flow so it has less affect on the environment.
This type of reservoir also does not have to be large, meaning that no residents have to be moved from the area.
However some compensation has to be paid for land that is swallowed along the river banks.
Khiet said Việt Nam had plenty of potential to develop more green hydro-power plants.
The plant, in Ngoc Hoi Commune, Chiem Hoa District, about 80km from Tuyen Quang City, cost a total of about VNĐ1700 billion ($US81 million).
It was designed to have three turbine generators and a production capacity of 48MW. The next two turbines are expected to be operational by the end of the year.
When completed, the plant will be able to add 193.4 million kwh of electricity to the national grid.
It will also provide an ecological tourist reservoir with jobs for local workers.
The plant is the fourth hydro-electric power plant in the mainstream of the Gam River in the province.
