In October 2024, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) received approval to construct a 500 kV transmission line between Lao Cai and Vinh Yen, valued at approximately VND7,010 billion ($277.2 million). This 229-kilometer dual-circuit line aims to enhance electricity distribution in the northwestern region and facilitate power imports from China.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son authorized the project, emphasizing its role in transmitting electricity from local hydropower plants, reducing grid losses, and serving as a contingency for importing power from China. EVN is set to finance 20% of the project’s pre-tax investment and will secure the remaining funds through commercial bank loans. Construction is slated to commence in November 2024, with completion targeted for May 2025, integrating the line into the national power grid.
The transmission line will traverse Lao Cai province, which borders China, and extend through the northern provinces of Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc. This initiative aligns with Vietnam’s broader strategy to bolster its energy infrastructure and diversify power sources. In the first nine months of 2024, the country’s electricity supply reached 232.6 billion kWh, marking a 10.9% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
The energy mix comprised 49.6% coal-fired power, 28.2% hydropower, 12.9% renewable energy (including solar and wind), 7.4% gas-fired power, and 1.7% imported electricity. The Lao Cai-Vinh Yen transmission line is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting the growing energy demands of northern Vietnam, ensuring a stable and efficient power supply for the region.
Cre: Vietnam utility EVN to build $277 mln transmission line to import power from China
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