The Northern Power Cooperation of Vietnam and China ’s Yunnan Power Grid Company on March 14 put on operation the Seo Chong Ho hydropower plant in Ban Ho commune, Sa Pa district, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai .

Construction of the 21 MW facility began in 2008 at a cost of over 700 billion VND.

The plant has two turbines, which produce nearly 100 million kWh of electricity for the national grid annually.

It is the second largest of its kind built in Sa Pa district, following the 34.5 MW Su Pan 2 hydropower plan, which was put into service in early 2011.

The disparity of water levels between the plant and its main dam stands at 833 metres, the largest one measured in Southeast Asia .

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Secretary of the Lao Cai Party Committee Nguyen Huu Van said the province holds a great potential for hydroelectricity development.

Lao Cai always creates favourable conditions for businesses both at home and abroad to invest in the locality in various areas, including the building of small and medium-scaled hydropower plants, he affirmed.

Van highlighted the Seo Chong Ho hydropower plant’s contributions to the province’s socio-economic development and boosting the friendship between Lao Cai and Yunnan.-VNA