GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE BAC AI PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER PLANT PHASE 2

On February 22, 2025, in Bac Ai District, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Vietnam Electricity Power Projects Management Board No.3 held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant project - Phase 2. A joint venture of seven leading construction contractors— Lung Lo Construction Corporation, Song Da Corporation, Truong Son Construction Corporation, VINACONEX (VCG), LILAMA 10 (L10), SCI E&C (SCI), and Construction Joint Stock Company 47 - was selected for the project's main construction package. 

The ceremony was attended by:

• Leaders and representatives from Ninh Thuan Province attended the event, including Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Pham Van Hau; Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Quoc Nam; along with officials from the Provincial Fatherland Front, various departments, Bac Ai District authorities as well as local residents from the project area. 
• The event was attended by representatives from the Energy Department under Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises, the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy, and the National Power System and Market Operator Company Limited under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, leaders from EVN and Vietnam Electricity Power Projects Management Board No.3, the French Development Agency (AfD) and the German Reconstruction Bank (KfW).
• Representing VINACONEX, a key contractor in the project, was Director of Project Management Board No. 1 Pham Thai Duong.

The Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant, located in Ninh Thuan province, has a planned capacity of 1,200 MW, featuring 4 turbine/pump-generator/engine units, each generating 300 MW. The total investment of the Bac Ai pumped storage hydropower project is about VND 21,100 billion, sourced from loans and EVN’s allocated funds.
Developed in two phases, the project has already implemented the Phase 1 January 2020, and completed in March 2021, which included the construction of a spillway gates in the Song Cai hydropower reservoir.
Phase 2 of the project includes the installation of four additional turbine units, an upper reservoir headworks cluster, and a 500 kV transmission power plant (TPP).  
Unit No. 1 is scheduled to begin operations in December 2029, followed by Unit No. 2 in April 2030 and Unit No. 3 in August 2030. The final unit is expected to go online by December 2030, with the entire project reaching full completion by May 2031, marking a new milestone in energy production.

In his remarks, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee Trinh Minh Hoang emphasized the significance of the Bac Ai pumped storage hydropower project alongside the recently revived nuclear power project, which has been approved by the National Assembly under a special policy mechanism.
Highlighting the close relationship between these two projects in stabilizing peak power supply and optimizing energy resources, he urged EVN to adhere strictly to the project timeline. He stressed the need to mobilize resources to accelerate construction while maintaining quality standards, addressing local labor concerns, and contributing to the province’s growth.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, EVN’s representative noted the Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant project as Vietnam’s first-ever pumped storage hydropower project, and a key project set for deployment in 2025. Backed by the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises and local authorities in Ninh Thuan, the project has received unwavering support at every stage—from meticulous planning and contractor selection to the enforcement of safety and quality standards. EVN has entrusted to Vietnam Electricity Power Projects Management Board No.3 and its contractors with executing the project, ensure the environment and quality, focusing all resources to complete the project on schedule.