Da Nhim-Ham Thuan–Da Mi hydropower JSC started expanding Da Nhim Hydro Power Plant on February 10. – VNA Photo Ngoc Ha

NINH THUAN (Biz Hub) – Power Generation Corporation 1 (Genco 1) and Da Nhim-Ham Thuan–Da Mi hydropower joint-stock company on February 10 launched the Da Nhim hydropower plant expansion in the southern province.

The investment capital for the project is estimated to be more than VND1.9 trillion (US$92 million), of which the investor's funds are VND300 billion ($14 million), while the rest is a loan granted by the Japanese government and disbursed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to Chairman and General Director of the power company Nguyen Trong Oanh, the Da Nhim power plant will have a new turbine of 80MW, increasing the plant's capacity from 160MW to 240MW. The new structures that will be constructed include a control gate, a 5km-long tunnel and a penstock.

The added capacity of the expanded Da Nhim power plant will be connected to the 220kV of the existing Da Nhim power distribution station and other 110kV transmission stations in the region.

The expanded section of the Da Nhim power plant is scheduled to become operational in the first quarter of 2018. Then the project is expected to generate 100 million KWh a year, and therefore, alleviate the workload of the existing system.

The project will also help increase the water supply for the Ninh Thuan Province in the dry season, and thus help develop local agricultural production. – VNS