The 500 kV line 3, Quang Trach - Pho Noi, is facing difficulties in procedures for converting forest land and temporary construction roads, putting the project at risk of being behind schedule, according to EVN.
The 500kV line 3 extension project consists of 4 component projects, with a length of 514 km connecting Quang Trach (Quang Binh) to Pho Noi (Hung Yen) with a total investment of about 23,000 billion VND (nearly 1 billion USD). These projects will all start construction in October 2023 and January 2024.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that this line be completed by June 2024 to increase supply and reduce power shortages in the North.
At the project progress assessment meeting on February 16, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, General Director of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), said that the four component projects of the 500 kV line circuit 3 have completed investment preparation work.
However, according to Mr. Tuan, the project is facing difficulties related to regulations on converting forest land use purposes and procedures for impacting forests to open temporary construction roads. He said that there are currently no regulations or instructions from management agencies on using forest areas for temporary roads and construction material storage areas.
According to EVN data, the forest area of the temporary road section of the 500kV Quynh Luu-Thanh Hoa line is nearly 3.5 hectares, and the Quang Trach-Quynh Luu section is more than 6 hectares.
In early February, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported to the Prime Minister on amending Decree 156/2018, allowing impacts on forests to serve the construction of projects. However, the General Director of EVN said "waiting for the amended Decree to take effect, that is at least 45 days after signing and promulgation, the 500 kV line 3 project will be behind schedule".
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, General Director of EVN speaking at the meeting on February 16. Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade
In addition to this difficulty, the 500 kV 3-circuit project from Quang Trach to Pho Noi also encountered problems in the appraisal and approval of documents for converting forest use purposes in localities.
The 500 kV line project has 1,179 pole foundation locations, passing through 9 localities. Currently, 226 bid packages of the project have signed contracts and are being implemented. The remaining 4 bid packages are completing procedures and will be completed in the next few days. Localities have cleared the land and handed over about 91% of pole foundation locations, and 21% of the line corridor.
The difficulties of the 500 kV circuit 3 project to bring electricity to the North were acknowledged by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, who said that they would lead to "the risk of delay if not promptly resolved."
"There are 99 column foundation locations that have been handed over but cannot be accessed due to procedures related to forest land and temporary construction roads. If localities are not proactive and responsible, investors cannot do it alone," said Mr. Dien.
He suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development report to the Prime Minister to soon issue a decree amending and supplementing Decree 156. While waiting for this decree to take effect, he recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development report to the Government for approval so that localities are allowed to convert forest land and agricultural land for construction purposes.
Workers work through the 2024 Lunar New Year at a location of the 500kV line project, circuit 3, section of Nam Dinh I - Pho Noi Thermal Power Plant (Hung Yen). Photo: EVNNPT
To ensure the progress of the 500kV circuit 3 project extended to June 30 as requested by the Prime Minister, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien requested ministries, branches and localities to resolve the above problems this month for investors and construction contractors.
Nghe An and Ha Tinh - two localities that have been slow to hand over construction sites due to forest land conversion, Minister Dien asked them to quickly hand over foundation pit locations and route corridors to EVNNPT - the project investor. It is expected that the Prime Minister will establish a working group to urge the conversion of forest land in these two localities.
The 500 kV line 3 extension project will increase the power supply to the North by about 2,000 MW when completed. Therefore, Minister Dien requested EVN and EVNNPT to select contractors in February, provide documents for localities to develop plans, compensate for site clearance and immediately start construction at locations where land is available.
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