Hoang Quoc Vuong, deputy minister of Industry and Trade, said that repair efforts have proved effective as the leaks in the dam at the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant have reduced from 30 litres to only seven litres per second by Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Hanoi, he said that the dam leaks will not harm residents’ lives or properties.
After the leaks occurred in the main dam of the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant reservoir, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) put all measures in place to minimise the leaks and repair damages.
At the conference, Mr. Vuong, EVN leaders and the project consultant said that the leaks were just minor errors and that the dam is safe.
However, Mr. Vuong still prompted repair operations because if the leaks continued for a long time, they would have eroded the concrete and weakened the dam.
The leaks are expected to be completely plugged by the onset of the flooding season this year. Subsequently, a comprehensive investigation of the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant will be carried out.
Nguyen Tai Son, director of the Power Engineering Consulting Company 1 and consultant of the Song Tranh 2 Plant, said that the dam was built with strong Roller Compact Concrete technology. As a result, it could not be swept away or collapse even under heavy flooding.
He confessed that the leaks are the only shortcomings of the project and should be repaired to ensure the dam safety.
However, several people still doubt the dam quality and want an independent organ or qualified foreign experts to assess and clarify the matter.
In response, Le Quang Hung, head of the State Authority for Construction Quality Inspection said that it is not necessary to invite independent organs to inspect the dam but let the investor and contractor focus on repair works.
Vietnam now has 14 hydropower plants built with Roller Compact Concrete technology. Earlier, leaks had also occurred at the Plei Krong Hydropower Plant, gushing water 25 litres per second.
Finally repair works brought this down to only three litres per second. At present the plant is strong and safe, Mr. Vuong added.
Related articles:
Cracks on hydropower reservoir not a matter of concern: Gov’t
Water leaks from dam worry officials in Quang Nam Province
