Construction starts at Bac Ai pumped-storage hydropower plant

Construction starts at Bac Ai pumped-storage hydropower plant

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) held a ceremony on February 22 to kick off the construction of Phase 2 of the Bac Ai pumped-storage hydropower plant in Ninh Thuan province.

The Bac Ai pumped storage hydropower plant in Ninh Thuan province was approved under the National Power Development Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision towards 2050. The plant consists of 1,200MW including 04 turbine/pump-generator/engine units with a capacity of 300MW per unit.

The total amount invested in the Bac Ai plant comes to about VND 21 trillion ($828 million), sourced from loans and EVN’s allocated funds. The first generating unit is expected to begin operation by the end of 2029, and unit 4 will be completed around a year later, with full completion scheduled by early 2031.

Industry observers regard the undertaking as an important addition to Vietnam's energy production sector, and it is expected to bring many long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits, while helping to ensure national energy security and a smooth transition to a green and sustainable economy.

With the characteristics of the Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, which have renewable energy projects (solar power, wind power) and in the future, nuclear power plants, the operation of Bac Ai pumped storage hydropower plant will contribute to regulating capacity and stabilising the power source in the region.

When the demand for electricity consumption is low at off-peak times, the plant has been designed to use excess electricity to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. When demand for electricity consumption increases at peak hours, water is discharged from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir to generate electricity, helping to stabilise the operation of the regional power grid and the national power system.

Speaking at the construction commencement ceremony, a representative from EVN said, "This is the first pumped storage hydropower scheme to be built in Vietnam and is one of EVN's key projects for 2025. EVN would to like to thank the government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises for the direction it has received throughout the preparation and implementation of the venture, along with the support and close coordination of the local authorities."

VIR