Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on January 5 launched the construction of the Lai Chau hydroelectric power plant in the northern mountain province of Lai Chau.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, PM Dung said this is a key project which will contribute to the country’s process of industrialization and modernization and the northwestern region’s socio-economic development and security and defence.

He asked the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) to work closely with contractors to ensure labour safety, the rate of progress and the quality of the project as planned.

PM Dung also asked stakeholders to attach importance to protecting the environment during the construction of the project.

The Lai Chau hydroelectric power plant is the third largest of its kind in the region with capacity of 1,200MW. Once put into operation, it will generate a total output of 4.7 billion kWh per year.