Opportunity to restart Song Tranh 5 Hydropower Plant

Mr. Dao Boi Thuyen - former Chairman of Hiep Duc District People's Committee (an active supporter of the construction of Song Tranh 5 Hydropower Dam) measured the water level at 18m elevation at Vuc Giang Bridge during the flood on October 20, 2023. Photo: PL

In 2007, the relevant departments advised the People's Committee of Quang Nam province to include the Song Tranh 5 Hydropower project in the planning of additional medium and small hydropower projects in the province. After that, Electricity Company 3 promoted the survey and design to prepare for the construction commencement. However, at that time, the leaders of Hiep Duc district were concerned about the impact on people's lives, so they did not agree, leading to this project being removed from the planning.

According to calculations by policy makers, if option 1 is chosen, the Song Tranh 5 Hydropower project will have a water surface of 21m above sea level. According to this option, the roads from Tan Binh town, Que Tan commune, Song Tra, and the surrounding road of Que Tho commune will not be flooded at all.

Specifically, the water level will be 4m and 2m away from Vuc Gieng bridge and Vuc Canh bridge in Que Tho commune, respectively, about 6m from Vuc Giang bridge in Hiep Thuan commune (old), about 4m from Thau Dau bridge in Hiep Hoa commune (old); and all houses in Que Tan, Que Tho, Song Tra, Thang Phuoc communes, and Tan Binh town will not be flooded.

The flooded area alone is about 307 hectares, mainly streams, embankments, low-lying land, and fallow fields. If we calculate the profits on this area without crop failure, the annual income would only be 5-6 billion VND, while the local budget revenue from Song Tranh 5 Hydropower Plant is at least 40-45 billion VND / year. That is not to mention the efficiency in production and business brought about by the electricity source.

The river flowing through Tan Binh town during the dry season. Photo: TRAN VAN LUAN

According to the designer's calculation, Song Tranh 5 Hydropower project has 2 units, installed capacity of 40MW, maximum water column of 11.35m, calculated water column of 8.85m, total capacity of ^17,870,000m3 , useful capacity of ^3,400,000m3 , maximum water flow of about ^532m3 /s, average annual electricity output of about 170 million kWh.

The project is located below the confluence of the Truong River and the Tranh River, in the area of ​​Tinh Yen (left bank) and Binh Kieu Duoi (right bank), Hiep Hoa Commune (old). At this location, if the project is built, it will be like having a ninth bridge (after 8 bridges including suspension bridges, already across the Tranh River and Khang River in Hiep Duc), creating favorable conditions for people in the area to travel to Tinh Yen, cultivating this fertile land.

If Song Tranh 5 Hydropower Plant is built, industries such as aquaculture, river tourism, restaurants, shops, traditional boat racing festivals, etc. will definitely develop strongly, contributing to creating a new look for Tan Binh town in the near future.

Song Tranh 5 Hydropower Plant is also a giant air conditioner in the heart of town, creating cool air all year round, providing an endless source of fresh water for production and daily life of people in Tan Binh town and neighboring areas.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/co-hoi-tai-khoi-dong-thuy-dien-song-tranh-5-3146976.html