Unlicensed hydropower project causes road erosion

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.

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 to not issue licences to Bac Me Hydropower Plant until it fulfils all obligations and procedures. They also asked the EVN to not receive power generated from Bac Me Hydropower Plant.

Ha Giang Province People's Committee said they were determined to make Vietracimex respect the law, deal with their wrongdoings and report the results to the provincial authorities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Construction by January 30.