Saigon Times
May 7, 2002

A ground-breaking ceremony for the road leading to the planned Son La Hydropower Station in the northern province of Son La, marks the starting point for the country’s biggest hydroelectric project.

(SGT)- Vietnam has tamed word on a road leading to the planned Son La Hydropower Station in the northern province of Son La, marking the startingpoint for the country’s biggest hydroelectric project.

The road, which is the fourth package to be undertaken by Song Da Corp. under the Ministry of Construction, will link the hydroelectric plant with the province’s center and contribute to socio-economic development in Muong La District and neighboring areas.

“The ground-breaking ceremony (for the road) is of great significance as it lays a foundation for the hydropower project to get off the ground,” said Khuong Thi Trang, deputy head of the Trade Union of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN).

Thousands of people from 12 ethnic minority groups flocked to the site to witness the event. The Son La station is expected to turn out more than l0billionkilowatthours, more than one-third of national output, said EVN director general Dao Van Hung.

Building the road will help prevent floods and ensure irrigation for the Red River Delta and Hanoi in the dry season. A tender will also be organized for the building ofa 23.7kilometer road linking Son La, Na Co and Ban Mon.

Work on the hydropower station is widely expected to start in late 2005. The National Assembly has yet to give the blessing for the project.