Hydropower dam in Ha Giang Province now underf construction

Construction of a dam across the Song Bac River for a hydropower plant in northern Ha Giang Province's Quang Binh District is now underway.

The plant, financed by the Song Bac Hydroelectric Co, will consist of two turbines with a combined capacity of 42MW that will be able to generate more than 166 million kWh a year.

It is expected to become operational in two years' time, a year ahead of schedule. The Japanese Sumitomo Mitsui Bank provided a loan of US$50 million for the project, about 80 per cent of the total investment needed.


The general director of the company, Do Van Binh, said the loan had been provided at low
interest rates.

"Several hydroelectric projects have had difficulties getting loans due to the world economic downturn," Binh said.

He said the company used its own capital to do primary work and the bank had disbursed $30 million of the total. Work on clearing the land for the VND1.29 trillion or US$64 million project started in September last year. The first turbine is expected to be in operation by next October and the second by the end of 2012.