Temporarily impacting the forest to construct the 500 kV line 3 to the North

The investor of the 500 kV line 3 to bring electricity to the North is allowed to use forests to construct temporary works, according to the new Government Decree.

The 500kV line 3 circuit project from Quang Trach (Quang Binh) to Pho Noi (Hung Yen) must be completed by June 2024, but is at risk of being delayed due to regulations on procedures for impacting forests to open temporary construction roads. According to Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), the forest area for the temporary road 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.

Therefore, Decree 27 of the Government dated March 6 will remove obstacles for the 500 kV line 3 project and many other important power grid projects.

According to the Decree, power source and grid projects will be allowed to temporarily impact forests to build temporary works (temporary roads, temporary material storage areas) in cases of socio-economic development, for national and public interests. The forest area is impacted but the purpose of use is not changed to another purpose.

Projects are only allowed to temporarily use forests when other land areas cannot be arranged. The plan of use must also minimize the affected forest area, and the current status of the area and reserves must be investigated and assessed.

In strictly protected areas of special-use forests, forest areas containing rare and endangered forest plants will not be used for temporary construction. After construction is completed, the forest must be restored immediately during the nearest reforestation season but no later than 12 months.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides on the temporary forest use plan. In case the area is under the management of ministries, the Provincial People's Committee shall seek the opinion of the relevant ministry.

Previously, the State Steering Committee for important national programs, works and projects, key energy sector projects, EVN, and localities with power grid projects passing through had many recommendations and proposals for temporary use of forests to implement power grid projects.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assessed the need to temporarily use forest land as "very necessary and urgent" due to the special nature of the power grid.

Most of the power grid lines go through forests and mountains with complex terrain, so the foundations and poles are far from existing roads. To carry out the construction, contractors and investors need to build temporary items, including temporary roads, material, machinery and equipment storage areas.

"Without temporary items, it will be impossible to construct foundations, columns, and power transmission lines," the agency said.

The 500kV line 3 extension 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.

It is forecasted that in the dry season of 2024, the transmission grid in the Southern region, especially the 500kV lines from the South to the Central and Northern regions, will have to operate at high load levels to transmit capacity from power plants in the South to the North.

The 500 kV line 3, completed on schedule in June, will increase transmission capacity, ensure inter-regional grid connection, contribute to electricity supply, and avoid the risk of power shortages in the North during the dry season this year and the coming years.

Phuong Dung

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