It is necessary to assess impacts and measures to minimize negative impacts on the environment of hydropower planning in Vietnam

It is necessary to assess impacts and measures to minimize negative impacts on the environment of hydropower planning in Vietnam (Internet image)

Article 7 of Circular 43/2012/TT-BCT stipulates that the agency organizing the formulation of planning as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 5 of this Circular shall submit it to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for consideration and approval attached to a dossier of hydropower planning. Within 05 working days after receiving document for approval and a dossier of hydropower planning, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall appraise and issue document attached to 01 copy of the printing copy of the dossier of planning for submission to agencies and units concerned to gather opinions about hydropower planning as prescribed.

The agencies and units concerned are gathered opinions about hydropower planning specified in Clause 2 of this Article including:

- For the cascade hydropower planning and Pumped-storage hydropower planning: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Defense, People's Committees of provinces of project area and other related agencies and units (if necessary).

- For small hydropower planning: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other related units (if necessary).

The content of appraisal and opinion contribution about hydropower planning must include:

- The compatibility of the proposal of hydropower planning with the existing projects and works and other related strategy and planning which have been approved by the competent authority.

- The reliability and satisfaction of the quality requirements of the documents, data used for planning.

- The technical compatibility and economic efficiency of the ladder system and planning of each project with proposed planning.

- Assessment of impacts and measures to minimize negative impacts on the society and environment of the projects with proposed planning.

- The compatibility of the construction investment progress of projects proposed in the plan with the present condition of power grid and electricity development planning in the area.

More details can be found in Circular 43/2012/TT-BCT, which comes into force from February 10, 2013.

Le Vy

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