Lai Chau Hydropower Plant was approved by the National Assembly and started construction in early 2011. Once it becomes fully operational, the Lai Chau hydro power plant and the Son La and Hoa Binh hydro power plants will produce a third of Vietnam’s hydro power. Generator 1 was completed 3 months ahead of schedule and in this 3-month period, it will create 150 million dollars-worth of electricity and save about a million tonnes of coal.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasised that the construction was critical to ensuring national energy security and boosting the socio-economic development of Lai Chau, Dien Bien Province and the north-western region.
"Vietnam Electricity has to ensure the smooth operation of Generator 1. The company also has to speed up the process of constructing the remaining two units so that they can come into operation in 2016. As they have electricity output of approximately 4.7 billion kW hours a year, the plant will bring the benefit of about 310 million USD to our country", Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.
The Prime Minister also stated that this project together with the Son La and Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant will help control flood, ensure the safety of Hanoi and supply water for the Red River Delta in the dry season.
