Electricity Magazine introduces readers to an overview of the potential and development stages of hydropower in Vietnam.
Hydropower Potential
Due to Vietnam’s geographical location within the tropical climate zone with high humidity and abundant rainfall, the country possesses a relatively large hydropower resource. The terrain stretches from north to south with a coastline over 3,400 km and elevations ranging from over 3,100 meters to sea level, creating a significant hydroelectric potential due to the large elevation differences.
Many studies have indicated that Vietnam could exploit a hydropower capacity of approximately 25,000 – 26,000 MW, equivalent to about 90 – 100 billion kWh of electricity. However, in reality, the exploitable hydropower capacity could be even greater. Based on global hydropower exploitation experience, Vietnam’s hydropower capacity in the future could range from 30,000 MW to 38,000 MW, producing about 100 – 110 billion kWh of electricity.
Development Stages
a) Before 1975
Before 1954, French researchers explored hydroelectric and irrigation projects to serve colonial exploitation purposes. Hydroelectric projects were chosen at favorable locations, quick to build, with low costs and without comprehensive master planning.
From 1954 to 1975, aided by experts from the Soviet Union and China, potential assessments for hydroelectricity in the Red River basin were conducted from 1956 onwards. On August 19, 1964, the first large-scale hydroelectric project with Soviet assistance commenced construction: Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant on the Chay River, with an initial capacity of 108 MW. This served as the cradle for developing a hydroelectric workforce for the electricity sector in subsequent years.
In the South, in 1961, Japan funded the construction of the Da Nhim Hydroelectric Project under a World War II war reparations program, with a capacity of 160 MW. However, due to the impacts of war, the plant had to cease operations in 1965, shortly after nearly a year of operation.
b) From 1975 to 1994
During the period from 1975 to 1994, with substantial assistance from the Soviet Union, Vietnam successfully constructed the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Plant, a significant milestone in harnessing large hydroelectric potential for the country. In the South, urgent rehabilitation work on the Da Nhim Hydroelectric Plant was carried out, and by the end of 1975, the plant resumed operations. To continue supplementing electricity supply to the South, on April 30, 1984, construction officially commenced for the Tri An Hydroelectric Plant.
During this period, in the Central region, several small and medium-sized hydroelectric plants were also surveyed and designed domestically, such as the Dray H’linh Hydroelectric Plant (12 MW) and the Vinh Son Hydroelectric Plant (66 MW).
c) From 1995 to 2005
This period can be considered the peak of Vietnam’s hydroelectric development. Many hydroelectric projects were constructed and put into operation, including large multi-purpose projects: Ialy Hydroelectric Plant, Ham Thuan – Da Mi Hydroelectric Plant, Se San 3 Hydroelectric Plant, and Tuyen Quang Hydroelectric Plant.
This period also witnessed significant technological advancements and quality improvements in hydroelectric construction across all fields, from project management, construction consulting, to execution and plant operation. Vietnamese engineers achieved complete autonomy in all stages of successfully building hydroelectric projects, regardless of scale.
This era marked a series of technical achievements entirely driven by domestic engineers. Successful applications of dam construction structures and the manufacturing of hydro-mechanical equipment for hydroelectric projects saw remarkable progress. Nearly all hydro-mechanical equipment during this period was manufactured by domestic mechanical plants.
From 2006 to Present
This is another crucial phase in Vietnam’s energy hydroelectric exploitation. The largest hydroelectric projects were constructed and completed during this period, such as Son La Hydroelectric Plant (2400 MW), Lai Chau Hydroelectric Plant (1200 MW), and Huoi Quang Hydroelectric Plant (560 MW). Hydroelectric development began to delve deeper.
Currently, reservoir operation procedures for cascade hydroelectric systems have been established and approved by the Prime Minister for all river basins with cascade hydroelectric systems. By 2018, a total of 80 large and medium hydroelectric projects were operational with a total installed capacity of 15,999 MW.
It can be said that almost all large-scale hydroelectric projects with capacities exceeding 100 MW have been fully exploited. Favorably located projects with low investment costs have also been implemented. Some hydroelectric plants are undergoing expansion, and potential hydroelectric plants are being invested in to align with the national electricity system structure.
Source: evn.com.vn
