Addressing the event, the PM stressed the significance of early operation of the first turbine and bringing the plant into operation two years ahead of schedule, saying this was not only profitable for the country but also ensures a steady supply of electricity for production and people’s life, especially in the dry season of 2011.

The Sơn La hydropower plant is not only the largest of its kind in Việt Nam and Southeast Asia, but also the first large-scale project in which its main parts were designed, constructed, manufactured and installed by Vietnamese engineers and workers, he added.

“This shows great strength and a high degree of development in management, design, manufacture and installation of the local workers,” PM Dũng said.

The power plant is designed to have a total capacity of 2,400 MW with six turbines, each of 400 MW. Once completed in late 2012, the plant will provide over 10.2 billion kWh of electricity for the national power grid each year, contributing to the socio-economic development of the whole country and especially the northwestern region./.