Hoa Binh Hydropower JSC was awarded the Independence Order, First Class, in northwestern province of Hoa Binh on December 14 at a ceremony to mark its 25th anniversary.

About 75km west of Hanoi, the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant includes eight 240MW power generator units with total installed capacity of 1,920MW, and has become a major supplier to the national grid. Vietnam Economic News reports.

As a major national power supplier, Hoa Binh Hydropower JSC, an affiliate of the Electricity of Vietnam group, has so far produced 175 billion kWh to cater for the needs of the country and reached an annual output of 9-10 billion kWh.

Especially since the formation of the Son La hydroelectric reservoir, Hoa Binh plant has seen markedly increased generation capacity. It is expected to produce over 10 billion kWh this year. Currently, its output has accounted for approximately 8 percent of the national total.

The plant is modernly equipped and designed, able to ensure stable power supply, especially for Hanoi, as well as fast recovery of major incidents in the national grid. It also means greatly in the irrigation work and improving water transport

The reservoir of the plant has a capacity of nearly 10 billion cu.m and a flood control capacity of 5.6 billion cu.m (not taking into account the reservoir in Son La Hydropower Plant). The reservoir participated actively and effectively in the flood control in the Red River Delta and Hanoi.

The historical flood peaking at 22,650 cu.m per second appearing in August 1996 was controlled by 42 percent thanks to the reservoir of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, preventing dike breaking and flooding downstream. Since the plant entered operation, the people living along the rivers of Da and Red have never experienced flooding or inundation threats.

The reservoir is about 200km in length, favourable for trade between provinces in the Red River Delta and the northwest mountains. Thanks to the reservoir, water-borne trade is facilitated especially during the dry season. The super long and heavy devices were easily transported from Hai Phong to Son La quickly and safely through Hoa Binh, contributing to a 3-year-earlier finish of the Son La Hydroelectric Plant.

As a spearhead to the provincial socio-economic development, the JSC usually contributes a large proportion to the total revenue of Hoa Binh province, up to 850 billion VND per year. In addition, since 2009, the company has paid fees for forest environmental services from 150-185 billion VND per year through the Vietnam Forest Protection and Development Fund.

Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant has become a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of local and foreign visitors to visit each year, contributing to creating more jobs for local people.-VNA