Talking with evn.com.vn, Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuyen – Director of Central Power Project Management Board (CPMB) confirmed that the unit still ensures the progress of urgent power transmission projects during the COVID- 19.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuyen: CPMB is currently implementing a series of urgent power transmission projects, including: The 3k 500kV transmission line project (completed in Q4 / 2020) tasked with strengthening the transmission capacity of 500kV electrical grid links regions, contributing to ensuring electricity supply to the South in the coming period.

The 500kV line project connecting Nghi Son 2 BOT power plant (completed in quarter 2/2020) is responsible for clearing this plant’s capacity under the signed contract.

Viet Tri 500kV TBA project and connection (completed in May 2020), is tasked to meet the load growth needs of the Northern power system, especially the provinces of Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc; creating strong linkages among areas in the electricity system, increasing the safe and stable operation of the national electricity system.

In particular, 220kV Ninh Phuoc substation and grid connection (completed in June 2020) was selected by the Vietnam Electricity Group’s Party Committee to celebrate the 13th National Party Congress of the Party. The project is responsible for clearing renewable energy capacity in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces.

In addition, CPMB has also deployed a series of other urgent projects such as the 220kV Nha Trang – Thap Cham representative; Nghi Son 500kV substation …

The construction progress of basic projects meets the set progress. However, localities are giving priority to focusing on disease prevention, so the deployment and coordination to remove difficulties and obstacles for handing over construction are also slower than planned.

In addition, CPMB is implementing procedures to invest in some other urgent projects such as Van Phong 500kV substation and connection; Van Phong 500kV representative -Val Tan. Due to the disease, the progress of approving the Feasibility Study Report has been behind schedule, affecting the schedule of preparation, submission, verification and approval of technical designs.

Reporter: How is the COVID-19 epidemic affecting the progress of projects, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuyen: Certainly the progress of projects affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. Specifically, in the site clearance compensation (BT-GPMB), due to localities focusing on anti-epidemic, the current problems have not been prioritized.

In the procurement of materials and equipment, prolonged shipping time, many packages are behind schedule, affecting plans to energize projects. The supply of materials (sand, stone, cement, iron and steel, concrete, electricity, water, …) for construction is delayed, due to many business units to rest or provide limited.

In the construction work, the workforce of many construction works has been reduced due to difficulties in hiring external and local workers. Some localities require the construction unit to divide the accommodation for workers, each with a maximum of 5 people. The movement of construction forces and construction apparatuses from one locality to another is limited, some localities still require 14 days of isolation.

Reporter: What is the CPMB solution that has been implemented to control the progress of these urgent projects?

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuyen: Since March, judging that COVID-19 will impact on projects, CPMB has implemented synchronous measures. In particular, the CPMB gives priority to the direction, administration, concentration and mobilization of maximum resources to solve, ensuring the completion of energizing / starting construction as required by EVN / EVNNPT. Strengthen propaganda for officials to grasp information, measures to prevent and control epidemics and psychological stability, do not panic and worry about affecting work. At the construction site, the staff of the functional departments follow the progress schedule of the assigned projects.

CPMB has requested localities, contractors and related units to carry out the industrial work (restricting to outside) to complete procedures, documents, etc., in order to reduce the volume. work after the epidemic ends.

We have also developed a detailed work plan for the moment and after the epidemic ends, to always be proactive. The CPMB regularly reports on the implementation situation, problems and proposals in the possible conditions, in accordance with the prevention of epidemic under the direction of the Prime Minister.

Reporter: How to ensure the safety of the forces at the construction site?

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuyen: For the Forward Committee of CPMB, which employees are currently on a business trip in that area, deploying online with suitable jobs. When traveling to construction sites or working with related units, they must strictly adhere to the recommended disease prevention and control principles.

For contractors at the construction site, the CPMB required the establishment of a COVID-19 Prevention Committee at the site. Each worker, each employee must follow instructions of disease prevention measures of local authorities and the health sector. Organize cleaning, cleaning up construction sites; coordinating with disinfection health agencies within the construction site and surrounding areas k