Overview of the Renewable Energy Development Project
The Renewable Energy Development Project aims to enhance the development of cost-effective electricity-generated renewable energy sources for integration into the national electricity network, prioritizing commercial, social, and environmental sustainability The project consists of three key components: investment project implementation, institutional establishment, and the development of information channels.
The investment project implementation includes two key components: (i) enabling commercial banks to re-borrow funds to offer valid loans for renewable energy projects with a maximum capacity of 30MW, backed by private investors, and (ii) providing technical support to strengthen the capabilities of participating banks and investors in the preparation, appraisal, financing, and execution of renewable energy projects in line with international standards The Renewable Energy and Rural Electricity Project Management Board (PMB) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade will oversee this initiative.
To foster investment in renewable energy, credits will be provided to private investors who develop sub-projects in small hydropower, wind power, and biomass sectors, each with a maximum capacity of 30MW These initiatives must adhere to the environmental and social safety standards outlined in the renewable energy development project Investors are required to contribute at least 20% of the total investment capital as equity, while they can secure loans from participating banks for up to 80% of the total investment for their subprojects.
Participating banks are chosen through a competitive process to evaluate valid renewable energy sub-projects proposed by investors These banks will provide loans for projects that meet their requirements, adhering to market-driven commercial terms Additionally, they will assume full responsibility for the credit risks associated with these loans.
Participating banks will refinance valid loans at 80% of the loan value or 64% of the total investment value for sub-projects, requiring them to contribute at least 16% of the total investment budget Investors are expected to provide 20% of the total investment capital Once the letters for re-borrowing are approved, banks will access re-loans from the renewable energy development project funded by the World Bank (WB) and ratified by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), following the terms set by WB.
Approximately 20 to 25 subprojects are expected to be funded through the re-loan mechanism, collectively achieving a total design capacity of 210 MW and generating an annual electricity output of 880 GWh.
• Technical Assistance to implement the investment project: The technical assistance of
Component 1 aims to enhance the overall management of the renewable energy development project by validating loans and building capacity among participating banks, investors, and stakeholders The Project Management Board will oversee technical support, which will equip investors with essential skills and guidelines for effective project identification and implementation.
2 feasible projects and prepare the loan-making proposals from banks through the appraisal and capital loan negotiation
The technical assistance will provide training on establishing viable research, optimizing design, and managing construction, operations, and maintenance while addressing financial risks and social and environmental safety concerns It aims to enhance banks' understanding of investment risks in renewable energy projects, enabling them to monitor project safety, establish credit policies, and appraise sub-projects accordingly Additionally, this support will aid the Project Management Board in effectively managing the Renewable Energy Development Project.
Introduction of Trung Thu Hydropower Project
The Trung Thu Hydropower Construction Project is part of the province's electric grid plan set to be completed by 2015 In 2007, the Energy Technology Development Joint-stock Company (BBT) submitted a request to the Dien Bien province government, seeking approval to establish an investment plan for a ladder-type hydropower project on the Nam Muc River in Trung Thu commune, Tua Chua district.
On October 16, 2007, the Department of Industry in Dien Bien Province issued Letter No 228/SCN-QLĐ, approving the research and survey for the construction investment of the Trung Thu Hydropower Plant on the Nam Muc River, located in Trung Thu Commune, Tua Chua District.
On November 19, 2007, the Dien Bien People's Committee issued letter No 1084/UBND-CN, approving the research and survey for the construction investment of the Trung Thu Hydropower Plant on the Nam Muc River in Trung Thu Commune, Tua Chua District.
22 Power Construction Consultant Company No 1 made a report on the Trung Thu Hydropower construction investment in September 2007, and visited to the construction site in January 2008
On May 15, 2008, Trung Thu Hydropower Joint-stock Company entered into Contract No 02/08 with Vietnam Energy Development Consultant Joint-stock Company This agreement focused on conducting surveys related to topography, geology, hydrography, damage assessment, and comprehensive resettlement planning to facilitate the establishment of an investment project.
The Trung Thu Hydropower construction investment report, prepared by Power Engineering Joint-stock Company No.1, was revised in 2013, with construction site visits conducted in December 2013 to facilitate further adjustments on the IOL.
The Trung Thu Hydropower Project is strategically situated near the Nam Muc estuary, where the Nam Muc river flows into the Da river, in Pa Ham commune of Muong Cha district and Trung Thu commune of Tua Chua district in Dien Bien province This project benefits from the natural flow of the river and is conveniently located just 3 km from highway no 6, which connects Tuan Giao to Lai Chau Additionally, it is 14 km upstream from the confluence of the Nam Muc river and the Da river, and 12 km from the Nam Muc hydropower plant.
The Trung Thu hydropower project features a reservoir on the Nam Muc River, covering an area of 290.2 hectares with a capacity of 30.7 cubic meters Key infrastructure includes a gravity water-raising dam measuring 252 meters by 45 meters and a spillway dam with a height of 45 meters The shore energy system comprises a water collecting gate, a 25-meter-long pressure tunnel, and an open-type hydropower plant located behind the dam with a capacity of 30 MW Additionally, there is an open-type distribution station that supports the overall energy generation process.
The 16x25m plans for construction at an upstream location of the plant, reaching a height of 243m, are strategically advantageous for both the construction process and operational management.
The project includes key and supporting areas such as tent arrangements, workspaces, production zones, vehicle parking, disposal sites, and storage areas Electricity will be supplied from a 35kV electric grid connected to the national system in Trung Thu commune Domestic water will be sourced from drilled wells, while agricultural water will be drawn from the Nam Muc River Additionally, a temporary land acquisition area of 42.9 hectares is designated for the project.
28 Building-up reservoir is mainly involving in cleaning reservoir foundation (biomass, chemicals, etc.) prior to water storage
The project involves the construction of a comprehensive head complex focused on ground treatment activities, concrete installation, and roof fixing Furthermore, it includes the development of an energy complex and the installation of hydraulic and electrical equipment at the water collection gate.
Table I-1: Items and basic parameters of Trung Thu hydropower project
2 Average flow for many years Q o m 3 /s 85.8
3 Total average flow for many years 10 9 m 3 2.63
7 Monitoring flood water level (MNLKT) (flood 0,2%) m 250.0
8 Design flood water level (MNLTK) (flood 1.0%) m 243.4
14 Reservoir surface area at normal Water level Km2 2.881
5 Design flood discharge of upper station (P=0.1%) m 3 /s 7856.6
9 No of hours using machine installed capacity h 4135
12 Floor elevation of machine installed compartment m 229.5
V.4 Out fall channel downstream of Plant
V.5 Out-door electric supply station m 16x35
1 Typr of station Hybrid (GIS)
VII Quantity of main works
VII.1 Excavation of all types
VII.5 Drilling and Jet grouting (Sprayed concrete)
1 Drilling and atomizing for base strengthening 10 3 md 1.2
VIII Annual average Output power E 0 10 6 kWh 124,12
The Trung Thu Hydropower Project harnesses water flow and topographic head pressure to generate electricity, achieving a maximum output of 30MW during the flooding season when daily average water flow exceeds design levels Excess water is then discharged downstream through the dam Under normal conditions, the reservoir is kept at a higher water level for electricity generation If downstream water discharge does not align with operational requirements, the relevant agency must consult the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for a decision.
Objectives of the EMDP
Legal documents and national policies on the ethnic minority community
The constitutions of 1946, 1959, 1980, and 1992 established a framework for the State to promote equality, solidarity, and mutual assistance among ethnic groups These regulations aim to create conditions that allow for the development of these groups within a civilized society while respecting their interests, cultures, traditions, languages, and customs.
In 2014, the national legal framework was revised to include various documents aimed at supporting the rights of ethnic minorities and enhancing their legal awareness, especially in impoverished districts These legal documents are detailed in Table II.1.
Table II-1 Legal documents of the Vietnamese Government for ethnic minorities
Year of issue Reference number and content of text
2013 Decision No 2356/QD-TTg dated 04/12/2013 of the Prime Minister on issuing the Action
Plan implementing the strategy of ethnic minority work until 2020
2013 Decision No 449/QD-TTg dated 03/12/2013 of the Prime Minister on approving the strategy of ethnic minority work until 2020
Decree No 05/2011/ND-CP, established in 2011, outlines the framework for ethnic minority affairs in Vietnam It emphasizes the importance of promoting equality, unity, and mutual assistance among ethnic groups, while also safeguarding and respecting their unique cultural identities within the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
In 2010, the Government issued Decision No 52/2010/QD-TTg to implement a legal aid policy aimed at enhancing awareness and understanding of laws among poor ethnic minorities in disadvantaged districts, with a focus on the period from 2011 to 2020.
In 2010, the Government issued Decree No 98/2010/NĐ-CP on September 21, which outlines the detailed implementation of specific provisions from the Law on Cultural Heritage and the amendments made to this law.
2009 Decision No 236/QD-CEM dated on 30/07/2009 by the Committee for Ethnic Minority
The establishment of a Research and Development Board focused on socio-economic development programs from 2011 to 2015 aims to support the most challenging communes, villages, and hamlets in mountainous and ethnic minority regions This initiative seeks to enhance local development and improve living conditions in these underserved areas.
2008 Decision No 1048/QD-People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province on compensation costs for assets damaged
2007 Decision No 112/2007/QD-TTg dated on 20/7/2007 on policies of supporting services, improving and increase people's living standards, legal assistance to improve legal awareness in the program 135, phase II
2007 Decision No 33/2007/QD-TTg dated on 5/3/2007 of the Prime Minister on policy supporting immigration and implementing resettlement for ethnic minorities in the period of 2007-2010
2007 Decision No 01/2007/QD-CEM of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs isued on
31/5/2007 on the recognition of mountainous communes and districts
2007 Decision No 05/2007/QD-CEM of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs issued on
6/9/2007 on the recognition of three ethnic minority regions and mountainous areas
Year of issue Reference number and content of text based on development levels
The 2007 Official Circular No 06 issued by the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs on September 20, 2007, outlines guidelines for enhancing service support and improving living standards for ethnic minorities This circular aims to provide legal assistance and promote legal awareness in accordance with Decision 112/2007/QD-TTg.
2007 Decision No 06/2007/QD-CEM of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs issued on
12/1/2007 on the communication strategy for the program 13, phase II
The 2007 Decree No 84/2007/ND-CP issued by the Vietnamese Government outlines additional regulations concerning the granting of land-use right certificates, the process of land acquisition, and the implementation of land use rights It also details procedures for compensation and resettlement support when the State acquires land, as well as mechanisms for addressing land-related complaints.
2007 Decree 123/2007/ND-CP on amending and revising some articles of Decree 188/2004/
ND-CP dated on 16/11/2004 about methods of determining land prices and range of lad prices
2001 Decree No 70/2001/ND-CP: all registration documents of family assets and land use rights must be recorded with names of both husband and wife
Law on Cultural Heritage No 28/2001/QH10 dated 29/06/2001
1998 Decree No 59/1998/ND-CP dated on 13/8/1998 of the Government on defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs.
Policies and programs on ethnic minority community
The implementation of tailored social and economic policies for each region and ethnic group is essential, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of ethnic minority communities The following details outline the specific policies designed for ethnic minorities.
The policy on settlement and resettlement, outlined in Decision No 138/QĐ-TTg (2000), integrates resettlement projects into the 135 Program Additionally, Decision No 33/2007/QĐ-TTg provides support for immigrants and resettlement specifically for ethnic minority groups during the 2007-2010 period.
The policy aims to support the arrangement of residential and productive land, housing, and clean water supply for poor ethnic minorities, as outlined in Decision No 134/2004/QĐ-TTg This initiative includes three key decisions approved by the Prime Minister and three accompanying letters from various ministries Notably, Decision No 146/2005/QĐ-TTg and Decision No 57/2007/QĐ-TTg focus on the acquisition of forestry and agricultural land to facilitate land assignments for impoverished ethnic minority communities.
The loan policy for ethnic minorities in Vietnam is governed by Decision No 32/2007/QĐ-TTg, which facilitates production development loans for ethnic minority households This policy was later amended by Decision No 126/2008/QĐ-TTg to enhance its provisions Additionally, under Decision No 31/2007/QĐ-TTg, poor ethnic minority individuals are eligible to borrow funds at low-interest rates, further supporting their economic development.
• Education and trainng policy for ethnic minority pupils: The Government has issued 02
Prime Minister’s Decrees, 11 Decisions and Ministerial guidelines Notably, the Decree
The Vietnamese government has implemented several key decisions to enhance educational opportunities for students, particularly those from ethnic minorities (EM) Decision No 134/2006/NĐ-CP focuses on the mobilization of education offices at the university and college levels within the national education system Additionally, Decision 267/2005/QĐ-TTg and Decision No 82/2006/QĐ-TTg establish policies for vocational training and provide scholarships and social support for EM students in public schools To further assist economically disadvantaged pupils and students, Decision No 157/2007/QĐ-TTG introduces credit and loan policies aimed at facilitating their access to education.
• Cultural and information policy for EM: Impleming the Decision No 975/2006/Q Đ - TTg, Decision 2472/Q Đ -TTg of year 2010 on providing the newspaper, magazine for
EM and mountainous Decision No 124/2003/Q Đ -TTg on approval the scheme on conservation, development the Ethnic culture in Vietnam upto 2020.
Policies of World Bank on ethnic minority community
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARATERISTICS OF ETHNIC MINORITY COMMUNITY IN THE
Overview of ethnic minorities in the project are
42 Dien Bien is a mountainous province belonging to North West region of Vietnam, has 21 ethnic groups living mainly in Tua Chua and Muong Cha districts
In Tua Chua district, the population is composed of seven ethnic groups, with the H’Mong making up the majority at 67.62%, totaling 30,178 individuals The Thai represent 18.11% (8,081 people), followed by the Dao at 5.19% (2,315 people), and the Kinh at 5.44% (2,428 people) Other ethnic groups include the Hoa at 2.73% (1,217 people), Kho Mu and Phu La at 0.91% (901 people), with the remaining population comprising smaller groups such as the Muong and Tay.
Muong Cha district is home to 21 ethnic groups, with the H’Mong making up 15.97% of the population, totaling 27,355 individuals The Kinh population consists of 3,043 people, accounting for 7.40%, while the Kho Mu group comprises 2,547 individuals, representing 6.19% The district also includes various other ethnicities such as Khang, Hoa, Muong, Tho, Dao, Si La, Mang, and San Diu.
The Trung Thu hydropower project spans six communes across two districts, specifically Trung Thu, Sinh Phinh, and Muong Bang in Tua Chua district, as well as Nam Nen, Sa Tong, and Pa Ham in Muong Cha district The local ethnic minority groups residing in these communes play a significant role in the project's community dynamics.
• Trung Thu commune (Tua Chua district): Only H’Mong people living are 3,039 people, account 100%
• Sinh Phinh commune (Tua Chua district): Only H’Mong people living are 5,874 people, account 100%
• Muong Bang commune (Tua Chua district): There are 6 ethnic groups living, in which Thai accounts 46,37%, H’Mong accounts 45,20%, Kho Mu accounts 4,13%, Kinh accounts 1,97%%, Eđê 0,32%, Dao 0,04%, and Kháng 1,97%
• Nam Nen commune (Muong Cha district): There are 7 ethnic groups living, in which Thai accounts 44,40%, H’Mong 21,72%, Kho Mu 19,35%, Khang 12,60%, Kinh 1,93%, Muong 1,9%, and Mang 0,41%
• Pa Ham commune (Muong Cha district): There are ethnic groups living together, namely Thai accounts 39,16%, H’Mong 42,43%, Kinh 4,11%, Khang 5,37%, Kho Mu 8,74% and Muong 0,15%
• Sa Tong commune (Muong Cha district): There are 4 ethnic groups living, in which H’Mong accounts 96,47%, Thai 1,03%, Kinh 2,15%, Muong 0,25%
46 Table III – 1 describes the details on components of EM in communes affected by Trung Thu Hydropower Project
Table III-1 Information on EM in affected area
Kinh Tày Thái Mường H Mông Khơ Mú Kháng Ê đê Dao Hoa
N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le % N o o f p eo p le %
2 Features and characteristics of culture, customs and modes of production of each ethnic minority community a) Thai ethnic group
The Thai ethnic group has inhabited the Northern West region of Vietnam for centuries, with a significant population residing in Dien Bien They are predominantly concentrated in the districts of Tua Chua and Muong Cha.
Thai culture is renowned for its agricultural expertise, particularly in wet rice cultivation, which serves as a staple food source Additionally, traditional Thai handicrafts, such as vibrant brocade fabric featuring unique patterns and durable reed mattresses, showcase the country's rich artistic heritage.
• Regarding religious beliefs and worship
The Thai community honors the Mountain God to seek blessings for a prosperous year, characterized by harmonious rain and wind Key annual holidays include March 3 and September 9, marked by grave visiting ceremonies, and May 5, which features an insect killing ritual Additionally, the "xep xi" festival on July 14 celebrates the outcomes of the first six months of the year Ancestor worship takes place among the Black Thai group in July and August, while the White Thai group celebrates the Lunar New Year.
• Regarding weddings and funerals custom:
The wedding ceremony of the Thai group is rich in tradition and involves several important steps Initially, the groom introduces his chosen partner to his parents to discuss marriage The groom's family then visits the bride's family to seek their approval Upon acceptance, the groom's family presents gifts, including betel, to formally propose marriage If the bride's family accepts these gifts, a village wizard is invited to bring offerings, which typically consist of two cocks (one white and one red) and five bottles of wine Unlike the Kinh majority customs, the bride's perspective on the marriage holds significant weight in her family's decision-making Once the offerings are accepted, the families agree on a trial period during which the groom stays at the bride's home If he proves satisfactory, the wedding ceremony will be officially arranged.
Before the wedding ceremony, the groom is required to present various gifts to the bride, including betel, wine, bracelets, earrings, brooches, and a pair of wigs for her to wear A top bun hairstyle signifies that a woman is married In instances of forced marriage, the bride may express her resistance by cutting her hair during the "tang cau" ceremony, which involves the top bun.
The Thai group's funeral concept views death as a continuation of life in the afterlife, making the funeral a significant ceremony to guide the deceased to "Muong troi" (the realm of the gods) This ceremony consists of two main steps: first, the Pong, a farewell ritual that allows the deceased to transition to nothingness, followed by the burial of the body in the forest, particularly among the White Thai community The second step, Xong, involves inviting the spirit to return to the ancestral worship space within the home.
Thai women's traditional costumes are characterized by their distinctive features, including a fitted Com shirt adorned with butterfly-shaped silver buttons, a long ankle-length skirt, and a charming "Pieu" head turban In everyday attire, White Thai women typically wear a short blouse (xua com) paired with a plain black skirt; the blouses are often light-colored or white, embellished with silver buttons shaped like butterflies, ticks, or bees The key difference between White and Black Thai attire lies in the V-shaped collar of the blouses, which are shorter and more form-fitting than those of the Kinh, with the blouse fringe tucked into the waistband of the skirt The tube-shaped skirt is black with a red line along the fringe, and some women may accessorize with a colorful shawl The headgear is simple, made from indigo cloth measuring approximately two meters in length.
Thai houses are also different Thai people live in the stilt houses, each village has about 30-80 houses with adjacent rooftops, distributing along streams and water sources
• Family line relationship, residence; relationships with other EM groups
The traditional social structure of the Thai group is organized around villages, referred to as "ban muong" or "phia tao," and is characterized by distinct clan relationships Each clan comprises three primary connections: AI Noong, where all male members share a common ancestor from four generations; Lung Ta, which includes male members from the maternal lineage across generations; and Nhinh Xao, consisting of male members who are sons-in-law of the clan Similarly, the H’Mong ethnic group also has its own unique social structures and familial ties.
The H’Mong people represent one of the three largest ethnic groups in Dien Bien, comprising 29.6% of the provincial population They are predominantly found in various districts, with Tua Chua district being the most populated area for this community.
• Language: H’Mong (most of them) and the majority language
The H'mong people are known for their traditional upland shifting cultivation, often referred to with sayings like “H’mong go everywhere with fire” and “H’mong people are with upland field.” Their primary agricultural products include corn, upland rice, potatoes, buckwheat, peanuts, sesame, beans, and some vegetables grown in terraced fields They also cultivate renowned fruits such as apples, peaches, plums, and pears, celebrated for their exceptional flavors Additionally, the H'mong grow various medicinal plants, including Panax Notoginseng and Radix Campanumoeae.
The H’mong people are renowned for their traditional linen textile production and a diverse array of crafts, including weaving, forging, and paper making Skilled artisans create functional items such as horse harnesses, wood containers, and silver jewelry, catering to the unique needs and tastes of the community Many H’mong artisans possess semi-professional expertise, crafting high-quality tools like plowshares, knives, hoes, shovels, and guns, showcasing their technical proficiency and cultural heritage.
• Regarding religious beliefs and worship custom
The H'mong people primarily practice Protestantism, attending church services on Saturdays and Sundays Their belief in "Drink water, remember the source," which emphasizes ancestor worship, differs from that of the majority culture While some families may have altars, this varies by lineage Typically, they use three bamboo tubes to hold incense: the center tube is dedicated to ancestor worship, the left tube honors the deity overseeing family affairs, and the right tube is for the deity responsible for the family's wellbeing Above the altar, pieces of paper are affixed to the wall, further reflecting their spiritual practices.
Socio-economics characteristics of ethnic minority groups affected by the project
Information disclosure
In June and July 2014, the Trung Thu Hydropower Joint Stock Company, in collaboration with a consulting team and the District Compensation and Resettlement Councils, conducted a survey and data census to prepare the Resettlement Action Plan (RP) and Ethnic Minority Development Plan (EMDP) This effort aimed to disclose information regarding the approved policy framework on ethnic minorities and resettlement, as sanctioned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and the World Bank The initiative ensured that local authorities and affected communities were well-informed about the project details and the anticipated implementation schedule.
Community consultations should be conducted multiple times to inform affected individuals and ethnic minority (EM) communities about the project Upon receiving approval from the World Bank (WB) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), the Resettlement Plan (RP) and Ethnic Minority Development Plan (EMDP) reports will be translated into Vietnamese for better accessibility A clear list of households affected by land loss and compensation payments will be provided EM communities and affected individuals will be thoroughly briefed on the EMDP and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), covering topics such as community meeting contents, working schedules, site clearance plans, Detailed Measurement Surveys (DMS), eligibility and rights of affected individuals, compensation volumes and rates, payment processes, and income restoration programs Related notices and documents will be publicly displayed at local government offices and community centers Project Information Books (PIB) will be distributed to affected households and made available at local government offices and cultural houses.
Community consultation and participation
In June 2014, a series of consultation meetings with EM communities were held to assess impacts and propose mitigation and development measures, ensuring local feedback was incorporated into the EMDP Documentation, including meeting minutes and participant lists, can be found in Annexes 2 and 3, along with photographs from the consultations.
Table IV-1: Time, venue and number of participants in consultaion meetings by commune
No District/ Commune Date of meeting Venue
No of participants Total Male Female
1 Trung Thu commune 16/6/2014 CPC office 13 13 0
2 Sinh Phinh commune 16/6/2014 CPC office 8 6 2
3 Muong Bang commune 16/6/2014 CPC office 4 3 1
No District/ Commune Date of meeting Venue
No of participants Total Male Female
1 Nam Nen commune 17/6/2014 CPC office 15 12 3
2 Sa Tong commune 18/6/2014 CPC office 4 4 0
3 Pa Ham commune 18/6/2014 CPC office 33 18 15
Community consultation tools, including meetings, individual interviews, and group discussions, facilitate open dialogue among residents of affected villages Participants, particularly women and youth, are actively invited to share their insights and ideas The engagement of ethnic minority (EM) groups in the impacted communes is prioritized, ensuring they are adequately consulted These groups are connected to the project through various representative organizations, such as the Women’s Union, Farmer Union, and Youth Unions at both communal and village levels.
Results of information disclosure and community consultation
ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT IMPACTS TO ETHINIC MINORITIES
77 In preparation for the construction of Trung Thu hydropower project, many consultative meetings on project implementation with local authorities, relevant agencies and local people have been organized with the purpose of disseminating information and activities related to the project from the preparation, the design, the construction to the operation stage Thereby, the investor of Trung Thu hydropower project, local authorities and people can identify potential impacts caused by construction activities in the process of implementation, including positive and negative impacts that affect the life and culture of ethnic minorities in the construction area of the project.
Positive impacts
The Trung Thu hydropower project is a significant initiative featuring various ancillary structures designed to enhance operational efficiency Its construction is expected to positively influence the productive lives and socio-cultural activities of local communities in the project area and neighboring regions Detailed positive impacts are outlined in Table V-1.
Table V-1: Positive impacts of Trung Thu hydropower project
Positive impacts Description Affection scale
1 Create favourable conditions for production activities
- More active in the infield irrigation work
- Reduce drought, increase irrigated area
The project is expected to result in flooding and a long-term occupation of 290.2 hectares It primarily focuses on the area near the estuary of the Nam Muc River, which flows into the Da River, located in Pa Ham commune of Muong Cha district and Trung Thu commune of Tua Chua district in Dien Bien province.
- The communes benefited from the project are: Sa Tong, Nam Nen, Muong Cha district; Muong Bang commune, Sinh Phinh commune of Tua Chua district
2 Improve living conditions for the project area
- Provide clean water for daily activities of the community
- Provide and supply additional power to the national grid
- The project reservoir is unregulated The entire reservoir capacity is 30.7 million m3
- The power capacity is 30 MW; the annual capacity ensures 4.3 MW; Trung Thu plant supplies for the national power grid 124.12 million kWh
Positive impacts Description Affection scale
3 Create more jobs for local people
- Create employment opportunities for unskilled local workers, especially households which are directly affected during the construction stage
- Increase employment opportunities for local residents when the project goes into operation
- Provide services to contractors and investors
- Develop catering services, new employment opportunities for local people
- The lake creates conditions for farming households to fish on the river
- In the construction phase, a large number of workers will be recrited, thus there will be employment oppotunitties for the local labor
- In the operation phase of plant, the demand of recruitng the staff working in the plant will be also employment oppotunitties for the local labor
In line with our commitment to the community, priority will be given to local labor, particularly those affected by the project, during the recruitment process This initiative aims to create valuable employment opportunities for local residents The exact number of individuals hired will be documented and reported as the project progresses.
4 Contribute to the improvement of the local infrastructure
- Build 110kV line and 35kV line, supplying electricity for building hydropower and the national grid
- Rebuild 500m of Highway 6A, Nam Nen bridge and a hydrological station
- The infrastructural works are built in the project area: the system of canals, dams, roads, power lines and transformer stations
5 Contribute positively to the local development movement
- Connect the convenient traffic and increase socio-economic opportunities for the local development
- Increase income and contribute to the local budget
- Supplement living and production power for locality,
- The roads in the project area is upgraded, creating favourable conditions for people to travel and help people get in touch with the neighbouring communes
- Electric charges collected annually contribute to
Positive impacts Description Affection scale that helps overcome the power shortage and improve the power quality
- Provide electricity to the remote areas which are lacking electricity increasing the local income and the local budget
- Provide 124.12 million kWh for the national power grid and the entire project area
- Increase cultural exchange opportunities in the localities
- The convenient transportation and the electric energy development attract investors into the area, attracting more investment projects
- People have access to new cultures via the media.
Negative impacts
THE MITIGATION MEASURES AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ETHNIC MINORITIES
81 The identified potential impacts, including positive and negative impacts of Trung Thu project, with local authorities, residents in the project area, are screened and developed by computational methods to have mitigation measures for negative impacts and maintain and improve positive impacts to overcome and give maximum supports for those affected by the project in order that they can early recover their living conditions at least as before the project is implemented.
The mitigation measures
The Trung Thu project, while not significantly impacting the cultural life and production of local communities, necessitates careful consideration of even minor effects to secure the livelihoods of households, particularly those of ethnic minorities To effectively address these impacts, tailored mitigation measures must be developed based on actual conditions and aimed at achieving stakeholder consensus Detailed mitigation measures, agreed upon during consultation meetings and group discussions with local residents, are outlined in Table VI-1 below.
Table VI-1: Measures to mitigate negative impacts
Negative impacts Mitigation Measures Implementing agency
Land acqusition that would give impact to livelihoods of local people
Compensation and Site Clearance Committee of Muong Cha and Tua Chua district
Departments and Mass organizations of affected communes
Impact to living customs of local people
Closely manage the construction workers of the contractor to implement the specific regulations and not affect on livings of local people
Transportation of materials are only allowed to use routes registered with the local authority and have to performe the regular maintenance to ensure uninterrupted traffic
Construction activities close to residential areas must be arranged at reasonable time to avoid affecting on livings of local people
For affected public works, it should be completed the replacement works before relocating or destroying
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC, the constructors, Monitoring Consultants
Negative impacts Mitigation Measures Implementing agency
Temporary impact to production activities of local people
Construction time will be heralded to the people and skimming only after people have finished harvesting the crops
The contractor will be mobilized at the highest level in order to shorten the construction time, minimize time to influence the production of community
To ensure safety and minimize disruptions, it is essential to strategically locate quarries for materials and machinery away from residential zones Strict adherence to regulations regarding the storage and preservation of materials is crucial to prevent incidents and accidents that could impact both community well-being and production efficiency.
The skiming must be done in accordance with the approved design Monitoring skiming must be performed grader closely to minimize rock fall to the farm of people
Must be constructed in accordance with the construction measures approved
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC and the contractors
Vehicles carrying materials have been covered carefully to avoid falling materials and making affect to local people, especially HHs living along the operation roads
The transportation vehicles should be not used in residential area at break time to minimize the noise It should be kept moisture to limit dusts on the roads
Materials, gasoline must be stored carefully to avoid explosion, leakage or impacting to the lives and productions of local people
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC, the contractors, Monitoring Consultants, the local authority
Impact to daily activities of local people
The management regulations must be strictly implemented Management activities must be closely coordinated between the contractor and the local police and the concerned units
The workers must be educated awareness of environmental hygiene and conscious respect for the cultural values of local people
Where in the camp of construction workers must
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC, the local authority, especially local polices
Negative impacts Mitigation Measures Implementing agency be planned separately, not to workers living with the family of the local people in the community
Area of materials, machineries storage should be located far away residential area and be monitored closely to avoid the risks of accidents
The construction site near the residential area are required to build the fence, signage and guardians to ensure the safety for workers and local people
The process of transportation the material must be follow the regulation to ensure the traffice safety
Local people and workers should be educated and disseminated about awareness of accidents preventation at work and transportation
The employed workers, especially the unskilled workers must be trained on necessary skills to ensure safety
Workers must be equipped with full protective equipment and labour insurance, accidents in transportation
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC, the contractors
Likely to have women and children trafficking and HIV/AIDS infection
Local people and construction workers on the project site must be propagated to risks and preventive measures against HIV/AIDS, trafficking in women and other social evils
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC in coordination with commune authority, polices and Women’s
Areas nearby the project area at risk of flooding after the plant went into operation
The design system of submerged efflux for baffles effectively reduces the kinetic energy of water, leading to a decreased flow rate after the discharge canal This innovative approach allows the water flow to return to its natural state after passing through the baffles, helping to minimize erosion and prevent flooding of agricultural land.
It is essential to closely monitor the production area at risk of flooding when the plant becomes operational Implementing timely response measures, such as constructing seawalls and creating diversion canals, is crucial for effective flood management.
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC in coordination with local authorities
Negative impacts Mitigation Measures Implementing agency flooding, etc
Investors timely compensation for the areas that were flooded during plant put into operation
Permanently impact to livestock grazing area
(goats and buffalo) of local people in Pa Ham commune
The local government plans to develop an office building for the People's Committee, along with schools and health centers, on a 10-hectare site in the Muong Anh II communes Currently, this land remains vacant, but it can be temporarily used for grazing in the short term.
Pa Ham commune, along with additional grazing lands, is situated in communal areas adjacent to Sa Tong and Pa Ham, encompassing 12-15 hectares When the designated planning area is exhausted, households will relocate their cattle to neighboring regions.
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC in coordination with the local authorities
The construction of a dam for electricity generation will significantly impact "Lang" fishing activities, particularly those involving bait fishing rods in the river Approximately 30.7 million cubic meters of water surface area will be directly affected in this region.
Ham and Nam Nen commune and indirect affected on downstream of Nam Muc river
Opening training courses on guidelines for the fish in cages, in order to utilize water in the reservoir
Tracking and monitoring the implementation of the household, and create conditions for the households in the implementation process
Ongoing technical support to households for the first time as well as during operation of the facility
Client, supervise consultant, District Agricultural Section, following the 135 program on poverty reduction of the State
Maintaining and Promoting Measures
Trung Thu Hydropower JSC is actively collaborating with stakeholders and local authorities to engage the community in the project area, aiming to mitigate negative impacts while enhancing positive outcomes The company has developed a program to promote these benefits, as detailed in Table VI-2 below.
Table VI-2: Maintaining and Promoting Measures
Positive impacts Maintaining and Promoting Implementing agency
1 Creating more favorable conditions for production activities, improving traffic conditions for local EM community
Developing maintenance mechanisms for road that will be updated by project then local people can travel
Hydropower JSC and the constructor
2 Increasing area of agricultural production land for local EM community
Land from the hills will be filled over the barren grounds to form fields and expand the cultivation area for local people
Hydropower JSC, the local authorities
3 Contributing to improve the local infrastructure of local
- Construction of dams, roads for transportation
- Construction of 110kV and 35kV lines to supply power for hydropower and into the national grid
- Reconstructing the National Highway No.6A with 500m in length, Nam Nen bridge and a hydrological station
Hydropower JSC, the local authorities
4 Creating more jobs for local people
Contractors are dedicated to employing local workers from the affected areas, ensuring they are compensated at market rates Upon project completion, Trung Thy Hydropower JSC will prioritize the recruitment of local individuals for training and ongoing employment at the plant.
5 Making active contributions to cultural, social and poverty reduction movements in local areas
To discuss regularly with leaderships of villages and communes and social mass organizations on activities of the project
Cooperating with local authorities, communes and villages and mass organizations to implement assistance tasks for community
Supporting and funding support for cultural-social activities of commune authorities, mass organizations, community and schools
The development measures for the ethnic minorities
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
manner of autarky and no market orientation, thus many households are poor according to the living standards of the poor as regulated by GOV
7 In terms of infrastructure and social services, through the GOV’s policy programs of hunger eradication and poverty reduction, such as program 134, 135, 30A, etc there are many funds investing in agricultural production and infrastructure for the households of the ethnic minorities, thus in recent year the infrastructure has been improved clearly, the households in the project site have chance to use electricity and radio station, etc
Information dissemination and community consultation
8 Many consultant meetings and group discussions were held in June 2014 with the participation of stakeholders, especially local authorities and vulnerable households, to provide households with the full information on the project and activities from initial stage to operation stage of the project, and to get households’ feedback and comments proposing measures within the development plan The consultant meetings were organized in 6 communes of 2 districts which are affected by the project, with a total of 77 participants including local officers, the leader of hamlets, and ethnic minority affected households
9 In the next stage of the project, the dissemination and consultant meetings with local authorities and households will be held frequently at each important stage or necessary time of the project
Assessment of impacts of the project
10 Potential impacts of the project include positive and negative impacts discussed carefully at the consultant meetings and group discussions among the project implementing partners and relevant agencies as well as households affected Basically, there were not seriously negative impacts of the project on local households’ lives and belief culture as well as manners and customs
Mitigation and development measures for the ethnic minority
11 There are some unavoidable impacts out of expectation, resulting from recover some production areas of households and relevant activities during the implementing period of the Trung Thu Hydropower Project Consequently, all of the negative and positive impacts have been studied and discussed, even at smallest impacts Accordingly mitigation measures or advanced measures have been proposed to improve or help the ethnic minority to recover soon and stabilize the production of households like initial time prior to the project implementation at least
Institutional arrangement and implementation plan
12 The implementation of the ethnic minority development plan needs to have a coordination of organizations and agencies from provincial level to local level and the ethnic minority community at local The Client of the Trung Thu Hydropower Project will be a lead organization and coordination with other implementation organizations Trung Thu Hydropower JSC has responsibilities to provide funds for implementing all activities/tasks proposed in the EMDP and to report to stakeholders
Complaints and Grievance redress mechanism
13 Complaints and Grievance redress mechanism in this EMDP have been made based on Vietnam’s laws on complaints and denunciations, consulted with local authorities, the ethnic minority community and also involving in particular cultural characteristics and traditional culture mechanisms of the ethnic minority community in the project area ix
14 Proposed measures and implementing timeframe of the EMDP for the Trung Thu Hydropower Project will be monitored closely to (i) ensure the implementing progress of the plan; (ii) undertake rightly the mitigation measures of the plan; (iii) assess effectiveness of the measures and propose supplement measures if necessary; (iv) identify potential or generated problems to the ethnic minority community during the implementing period of the project; and (v) identify quick response measures to mitigate these issues
15 Independent and internal monitoring system, monthly and quarterly monitoring reports will be submitted to the Project Management Board and World Bank (WB) Independent monitoring agency will be recruited to implement the independent monitoring, and the independent assessment will be made annually, except for the beginning period of the project with monitoring requirement of twice per year
16 Total budget of implementing development measures within the EMDP is 165.275.000 VND
The total implementation costs amount to approximately US$ 7,870.20, which includes a 10% contingency fee Trung Thu Hydropower JSC will be responsible for funding all activities outlined in the Environmental Management and Development Plan (EMDP).
A Overview of the Renewable Energy Development Project
17 The goal of the Renewable Energy Development Project is to support the development of the electricity–generated renewable energy sources with lowest costs to share with the national electricity network based on the commercial sustainability, and ensuring the social and environmental sustainability The project has 3 components: (i) Component of investment project implementation; (ii) Component of institutional establishment; and (iii) Component of information channel development
18 Component of investment project implementation consist of (i) Allow commercial banks to re- borrow funds to provide valid loans for the renewable energy projects with a maximum capacity of 30MW invested by private investors, and (ii) Technical support to enhance the capacity of the participating banks and investors of sub-projects in the preparation, appraisal, financing and the implementation of the renewable energy projects in comply with international practice This component will be coordinated by the Renewable Energy and Rural Electricity Project Management Board (PMB) of Ministry of Industry and Trade This component consists of two sub-components as follows:
To bolster investment in renewable energy, it is essential to provide credits that facilitate private investors in developing sub-projects in small hydropower, wind power, and biomass, each with a capacity of up to 30MW These initiatives must adhere to the criteria set forth by the renewable energy development project, including environmental and social safety standards Investors are required to contribute a minimum of 20% equity of the total investment capital, while they can secure loans from participating banks for up to 80% of the total investment in the subproject.
Selected banks will compete to appraise valid renewable energy sub-projects proposed by investors and provide loans to those that meet their requirements These banks will offer loans based on market-determined commercial terms and will assume full responsibility for the credit risks associated with these loans.
Participating banks will refinance valid loans at 80% of the loan value or 64% of the total investment value for sub-projects, requiring them to contribute at least 16% of the total investment in each sub-project's budget, while investors must provide 20% equity of the total investment capital Upon approval of re-borrowing requests, these banks will secure re-loans from the renewable energy development project, backed by the World Bank (WB) and ratified by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) This re-loan will be financed through WB’s capital in accordance with the stipulations set by the WB.
