Earlier, the transmission line was successfully energised on September 30, eight months ahead of the original schedule.
The Lao Cai-Vinh Yen line is a national key project, comprising a double-circuit 500kV transmission line with a total length of 229.5 kilometres and 468 towers.
The project runs through the two provinces of Lao Cai and Phu Tho (previously passing four provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc), starting from the Lao Cai 500kV substation and ending at the Vinh Yen 500kV substation.
The total investment for the project is 7.41 trillion VND (281 million USD), of which 80% is financed by a loan from Vietcombank, and the remaining 20% is EVN’s counterpart capital.
The second phase of the Lao Cai 500kV substation, with a total investment of more than 1.564 trillion VND (59.3 million USD), has also been completed to align with the Lao Cai-Vinh Yen transmission line.
Once operational, the Lao Cai–Vinh Yen line will be capable of transmitting around 3,000 MW from hydropower plants in the Northwest to the national grid, while also enhancing Viet Nam’s electricity import capacity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc emphasised that the Lao Cai–Vinh Yen 500kV transmission line is of particular significance in ensuring national energy security and will contribute to achieving economic growth of over 8% in 2025 and double-digit growth in the following years.
The government leader noted that Viet Nam’s socio-economic growth targets during this period require the electricity sector to increase power generation capacity by around 15–18% annually.
He also highlighted the rising electricity demand amid increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in the northern region.
Deputy PM Phoc underlined that, thanks to the strong direction of the Prime Minister, relevant ministries and localities, along with EVN’s determination and the contractors’ efforts, the project was completed in just over six months, nearly eight months ahead of the original schedule.
He stressed that this represents a record achievement in the construction of power projects, a remarkable accomplishment given the project’s complex terrain and geological conditions, unpredictable weather, and enormous construction workload.
