On October 7, the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) in collaboration with project partners successfully installed the 585-ton rotor for Unit 2, marking a critical technical achievement that concludes the rotor installation phase for both units of this nationally significant infrastructure project.

This event is not merely symbolic; it represents the final mechanical cornerstone of the expansion, opening the path for the subsequent sequence of operations, including the full assembly of turbines, integration of auxiliary systems, commissioning and trial operations. Unit 2 is scheduled to commence commercial electricity generation in November 2025, thereby ensuring the project’s completion within the calendar year. Notably, Unit 1’s rotor was installed on August 19 and connected to the national grid successfully on the same day.

Against the backdrop of increasingly extreme weather conditions and surging electricity demand, particularly during the northern region’s hot season, the early commissioning of the expanded Hoa Binh plant will provide crucial grid stabilization. Its operation is expected to enhance the system’s adaptability, particularly as renewable energy sources take on a larger share of the national energy mix.

The expansion project comprises two additional units (2×240 MW), delivering a combined capacity of 480 MW with an average annual output of approximately 490 million kWh. With a total investment exceeding VND 9,220 billion, the facility is strategically positioned immediately adjacent to the existing hydropower plant on the right bank. It is designed to bolster peak capacity, enhance spinning reserves, and improve frequency regulation across the national grid. Once operational, the two new units will contribute to greater operational flexibility during peak hours, reduce reliance on high-cost generation sources, and extend the lifespan of existing equipment through optimized load distribution.

Beyond technical performance, the project will help lower the overall cost of power system operations. By minimizing the need to dispatch high-cost oil and gas-fired plants during peak hours, it will alleviate financial pressure on the national economy and enhance energy security.

From the beginning of 2025, the EVN’s Power Project 1 Management Board, together with contractors, has established quarterly milestones to ensure steady progress. The rotor installation for Unit 1 was completed by September, while turbine installation for Unit 2 commenced in mid-Q2 2025.

On-site observations reveal that the project’s complex operations, including heavy equipment installation, discharge channel reinforcement, and cofferdam removal, have been accelerated through a three-shift work schedule, optimized deployment of oversized cranes, and standardized stepwise inspection procedures. The successful installation of rotors and completion of other critical components attests to the project team’s flexible management, technical proficiency, and coordinated execution, even under challenging weather conditions and constrained site logistics.

This achievement not only underscores the technical capabilities of EVN and its contractors but also reflects Vietnam’s growing expertise in large-scale hydropower construction, risk management, and technological mastery within the energy sector.

With the impending commercial operation of Unit 2, the Hoa Binh Expansion Project stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to enhancing grid reliability, promoting sustainable energy development, and safeguarding the country’s energy security in the face of evolving climatic and demand pressures.