(VOVworld) – Lai Chau hydropower plant has closed the sluice gate to accumulate water in the reservoir. Its construction began in May, 2011 and is planned to be completed in 2017.

The ceremony to close the sluice-gate to accumulate water in the reservoir of Lai Chau hydropower plant (photo: VGP/ Toan Thang)

The hydropower plant is located on the upper part of the Da river in Nam Nhun district, Lai Chau province with the total capacity of 1,200 MW. It will generate more than 4.7 billion kWh every year to the national grid.

Lai Chau hydropower plant

Pham Hong Phuong, Head of the Son La – Lai Chau hydropower plant’s management board, said reservoir water accumulation is an important step to prepare for the operation of the 1^st turbine later this year. “The water accumulation plan has been well prepared. People, who live below the reservoir level, have been evacuated to safe places. The reservoir bed and legacy have been collected and restored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the General Department of the Environment, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The construction of related components has been done and ready for water accumulation.”