Vietnam has more than 3,450 river and stream systemsof different sizes theoretically capable of generating electricity witha total potential production capacity of 35,000 MW and 300 billion kWhof electricity a year. The northern region accounts for some 60 percent,the central some 27 percent, and the southern 13 percent. However, withfeasibility taken into account, the country can utilise about 26,000 MWor 100 billion kWh of electricity a year.

Before 1990, somelarge- and small-scaled hydropower projects like Hoa Binh (1,920 MW),Thac Ba (120 MW), Da Nhim (160 MW) and Tri An (400 MW) and a number ofsmall and micro hydropower plants were built.

After 1990,according to the Government’s guidelines for the Vietnam ElectricityIndustry Development Strategy and National Electric Power DevelopmentPlan, renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydro power, etc.) weregiven investment priority, especially hydropower projects with extrabenefits (water supply, flood prevention, drought prevention, etc).Small-scaled hydropower plants were invested to meet growing energydemand in the country. On that basis, the Ministry of Industry and Tradein collaboration with involved ministries, agencies and localitiescarried out researches on hydropower development in potential rivers andstreams.

By now, the country-wide hydropower developmentplanning has been established and approved, thus laying the groundworkfor formulating investment projects. According to approved plans, thecountry now has 815 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of24,324.3 MW. Of these, 268 projects have been put into operation(14,240.5 MW); 205 projects are construction (6,198.8 MW) and expectedto be operated before 2017. The storage capacity for downstream regionsis 10.51 billion cubic metres.

On large rivers, 113 cascadedhydropower projects have been approved for construction with a totalcapacity of 18,006 MW. Most projects have been built. As many as 56projects have been brought into operation while the rest are expected tobe completed and operated by 2017 and 17 projects are being studied.The above hydroelectric plants have supplied electricity, regulatedwater flows and controlled flooding for downstream areas. Some projectshave been adjusted to improve investment efficiency, mitigateenvironmental and social impacts and fit with new plans and otherprioritised projects.

The investment and construction ofhydropower projects has importantly ensured energy security and promotedthe country’s socioeconomic development towards industrialisation andmodernisation. In 2012, hydropower plants accounted for 48.26 percent ofproduction capacity and 43.9 percent of power output. This is a cleanrenewable energy source generated at a lower cost than other powersources.

The investment, construction and operation ofhydropower projects has created many jobs. The formation ofhydroelectric reservoirs has also importantly and actively regulatedwater for livelihood and agriculture, reduced downstream flooding,improved environment, and develop tourism, aquaculture andtransportation.

Hydropower reservoirs with a total storagecapacity of tens of billions cubic metres of water have played animportant role in storing and supplying water in dry seasons andreducing flooding to ensure better livelihood, production andenvironmental protection for the downstream. According to the Ministryof Natural Resources and Environment, hydropower reservoirs will accountfor about 86 percent of total reservoir capacity of the country (56billion cubic metres versus 65 billion cubic metres in total).

The reservoir system is extremely important to water resources security.

While building hydroelectric plants, many socioeconomicinfrastructure works like power grids, roads, schools, clinics andcultural houses in resettlement areas have been built or upgraded toserve quicker socioeconomic and cultural development.

However,the investment and construction of hydroelectric projects have alsoaffected local people. Resettled residents are vulnerable as theirliving space and farming area are narrowed. These major issues need tobe addressed soon. The government is directing relevant ministries andbranches to carry out projects to stabilise production and livelihoodfor resettled people.

🧸 To ensure sustainable hydropowerdevelopment and environmental and social protection, the Prime Ministerhas directed ministries, branches and localities involved to operatehydropower plants as processes approved, ensure power generationefficiency, and regulate sufficient water sources for the downstream.-VNA