How is Hydroelectric Power Classified?

Vietnam currently boasts approximately 387 hydroelectric power plants of varying sizes (as of 2022 data from the Electricity Regulatory Authority). The classification of a plant as large or small is determined by its power generation capacity.

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What Defines a Large Hydropower Plant?

  • Capacity above 10 MW
  • Capacity between 50 – 1,000 MW
  • Capacity above 45 MW
  • Capacity between 30 – 1,000 MW

According to Decree 62/2025/NĐ-CP, a hydropower plant is classified as large if it meets one of the following criteria:
– Dam height between 15m and under 100m
– Dam height between 10m and under 15m with a length of 500m or more, or a flood discharge capacity exceeding 2,000 m³/s
– Reservoir capacity between 3 million and under 1 billion m³
– Installed capacity between 50MW and 1,000 MW. Plants above 1,000 MW are considered critically important.

What is Vietnam’s Largest Hydropower Plant?

  • Son La Hydropower Plant
  • Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant
  • Song Ba Ha Hydropower Plant
  • Lai Chau Hydropower Plant

The Son La Hydropower Plant currently holds the title of Vietnam’s largest, with a capacity of 2,400 MW.

What Category Does Song Ba Ha Hydropower Plant Fall Under?

  • Large Hydropower Plant
  • Small Hydropower Plant
  • Medium Hydropower Plant

The Song Ba Ha Hydropower Plant (SBH), with a capacity of 220 MW, is classified as a large hydropower plant.

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– 19:28 28/11/2025

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