Transmission line workers installing a connecting brace system at a height of approximately 40m on the 500kV Quang Trach – Pho Noi power line project, Ha Tinh province. Photo: Huu Quyet/VNA
Before dawn, while the sun had not yet risen, a group of workers from Ky Anh Power Transmission Company had finished their breakfast and were gearing up with safety equipment, ready to trek to their assigned transmission tower. It took them over an hour to reach tower 49 on the Quang Trach – Quynh Luu power line section, located in the Hoanh Son mountain range. The temporary path to the tower was winding, with steep hairpin bends, and the electrical workers joked that even four-wheel-drive trucks would struggle to climb it.
Nguyen Hong Ky, team leader of the Ky Anh transmission team, urged his colleagues: “Let’s hurry, guys. The wind is calm now, so we should take advantage of this window to work. Once the wind picks up, we won’t be able to do anything.”
As they hurried along, Ky shared that although their task was limited to ground support work such as installing crossbars and braces, the team had to be at the site by 6 am every day to coordinate with the tower construction crew.
“Tower 49 is located at a high altitude, more than 600m above sea level, and the wind is very strong here. There are also occasional gusts that can be like whirlwinds. For example, yesterday afternoon, the wind was so strong and whirling that the workers couldn’t climb up the tower to work. Not to mention the dust that obscured everything. And when it rains, the path becomes slippery, making it challenging even to walk. That’s why we’re taking advantage of the dry weather and light wind today to get things done,” Ky explained.
Tower 49 is one of over 50 challenging locations along the Hoanh Son mountain range. Due to the mountainous terrain, heavy rain makes it impossible for workers to access the towers or climb them for construction. Additionally, the area experiences strong westerly winds, especially in July and early August, which significantly impact high-altitude tower construction.
Luu Viet Tien, Deputy General Director of the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT), shared that for the Quang Trach – Quynh Luu 500 kV power line project, only 46 out of 463 tower locations are left to be completed, and they are currently working on stringing wires for 102 out of 197 wire spans. The corporation and contractors are coordinating to expedite the remaining tasks, aiming to finish erecting all towers before August 15 and complete wire stringing before September 2. These remaining towers are situated on cliffs, making it extremely challenging to transport equipment and personnel. On top of that, strong winds and whirlwinds hinder the workers’ efforts to erect towers at such heights.
Tran Ngoc Tao, a technical officer from Thang Long TIC, the contractor responsible for package 14 of the 500 kV power line project’s third circuit from Quang Trach to Quynh Luu, provided an update on their progress. Their package includes six tower locations and 2,690 meters of wires with four wire spans. So far, they have completed 70 to over 80% of the work at each location.
Erection of tower 313 in Nam Dan district, Nghe An province. This is one of the most challenging locations for the 500kV Quang Trach – Quynh Luu power line project as it is nestled deep in the mountains. Photo: Huy Hung/VNA
“For tower 40 in Ky Thinh ward, Ky Anh town, we are working on the third level of the tower. Currently, the area is experiencing strong whirlwinds, and with our daily work plan, we can only achieve 50 to 60% of the intended progress. The weather hasn’t been cooperative lately. All the tower locations are now in the high-altitude tower construction phase, and the strong winds, coupled with rain, will make it challenging to maintain our schedule,” Tao shared.
However, the contractor assured that for the other locations where they are finalizing the work, installing crossbars, and performing other tasks amid harsh weather conditions and strong winds, they will execute twisting operations inside the tower, install equipment, and wait for the wind to subside before proceeding with the tower work. With the current progress and favorable weather, they are optimistic about completing the tower construction at their assigned locations by August 12 to commence wire stringing simultaneously.
A visit to the most challenging sites of the 500 kV power line project’s third circuit, specifically the Quang Trach – Quynh Luu section passing through Ky Anh, reveals the treacherous terrain. Most of the locations are on high mountains, making it exceedingly difficult to transport equipment, machinery, and people.
Nguyen Thanh Trung, Deputy Head of the Technical Department at the Central Project Management Board (CPMB), the organization entrusted by EVNNPT to manage the Quang Trach – Quynh Luu and Quynh Luu – Thanh Hoa power line projects, shed light on the challenges faced by the construction team in this area. Recently, the impact of a tropical depression brought heavy rains, making the paths slippery and hindering the movement of workers and equipment to the tower locations. Additionally, the Ky Anh area is experiencing strong winds and whirlwinds during this period, affecting tower construction. As a result, the construction units must have their personnel ready, both on the ground and on the tower, to seize any opportunity when the wind subsides to resume work immediately.
According to CPMB’s overall assessment, the construction units are highly determined and prepared to work around the clock when the weather permits to accelerate progress and meet the deadline as directed by the Prime Minister…
Article 2: Overcoming the Wind, Reaching the Finish Line
