Bac Me Hydropower Plant in Ha Giang Province has gone into operation without a licence and caused serious damage to the national highway as well as houses. Parts of National Highway 34 have eroded and cracks appeared at many houses in Ha Giang and Cao Bang provinces after Bac Me Hydropower Plant suddenly discharged water in late December 2017. Nguyen Ngoc Quang, vice chairman of Bao Lam District People’s Committee, said they hadn’t received any notice. “We’ve evacuated 17 households and made them sign a commitment not to return to their houses. We asked the hydropower plant to deal with the damage and support the residents who are having to stay with relatives,” he said. Road eroded after waster discharge According to Ha Giang Province People’s Committee, Bac Me Hydropower Plant was invested in by Vietnam Trading Engineering Construction Joint Stock Corporation (Vietracimex). It was built in November 2014 and expected to go into operation in January 2018. However, it had not been given official permission to go into operation upon its completion. Moreover, the provincial authorities already reported to the Ministry of Industry and Trade about various wrongdoings at the plant since September 28, 2017. Vietracimex failed to follow construction, land and environment regulations. Vietracimex still hasn’t been granted an electricity operation licence but the plant started working last September. It also lacks land lease contracts and even a building permit. Bac Me Hydropower Plant built without licence Ha Giang provincial authorities asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade… [Read full story]
The function attracted more than 70 Vietnamese and foreign scholars, scientists and managers. It was also attended by representatives from international and non-governmental organisations, the Mekong River Commission, and the Mekong River committees of Laos and Cambodia. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai, who is also the deputy head of the Vietnam National Mekong River Committee, said the proposed building of 11 hydropower projects on the mainstream of the lower Mekong River in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam is raising concerns over possible negative impacts on the environment, economy and society in the riverside countries, especially…... [read more]
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has proposed to re-evaluate the construction of two hydropower projects due to their potential environmental pollution. Dong Nai 6, Dong Nai 6A will encroach Cat Tien National Park Dong Nai 6, Dong Nai 6A plans, invested by Duc Long Gia Lai Group, were approved by the national electricity development plant for the period 2011-2020, however, scientists have said that the projects encroach on Cat Tien National Park. According to the MNRE, the environmental impact assessment from the owners has not cleared up very many problems. For example, 372 ha of forest will…... [read more]
The project is located in Pak Beng district of the Lao province of Oudomxay. It is the first of the 11 hydropower dams planned to be built on the mainstream Mekong River, including nine in Laos and two in Cambodia.Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam National Mekong Committee, said located at the end of the Mekong River, Vietnam is keeping a close watch on hydropower projects on the mainstream of the river. It is deeply concerned about their impacts on the environment, socio-economic situation and livelihoods of 20 million residents…... [read more]
Of the 167 hydropower projects, 117 with a total capacity of 337.16 MW are from the Central Highlands and the remaining 50 with a total capacity of 280.2 MW are in neighbouring localities. Lam Dong Province has cancelled the largest number of hydropower projects (more than 40), followed by Kon Tum Province (34 projects). Planning and investment in hydropower projects in the Central Highlands region and neigbouring areas have raised serious social and environmental concerns, the Steering Committee said. The Central Highlands region has converted 80,000ha of land, including farming land, for the construction of hydropower plants. Nearly 26,000 families…... [read more]
The government would continue to tighten control over the hydropower industry, cancelling any inefficient projects, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai criticises irresponsible hydropower investors Deputy Prime Minister, Hoang Trung Hai, reaffirmed this intention during a recent interview where he answered questions about the negative impacts of several hydropower dams that recently added to flooding in the country. Public concerns have been raised over the fact that several hydropower dams worsened flooding caused by the recent typhoons that have hit Vietnam. What are your comments about this issue? The government has worked out clear policies…... [read more]
