Decision No. 1446/QD-TTg on approving the Plan for Developing Medium and Small-Scale Electric Pumping Stations in the Mekong Delta Region

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the Project on Developing Medium and Small-Scale Electric Pumping Stations in the Mekong Delta Region

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development submitted in the report No. 1402/BNN-TL dated May 25, 2009,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Project on Developing Medium and Small-Scale Electric Pumping Stations in the Mekong Delta Region with the main contents as follows:

I. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. Develop a system of medium and small-scale electric pumping stations in accordance with the socio-economic development plan, water resources planning, and natural and social conditions of the Mekong Delta provinces to ensure proactive water supply and drainage for agricultural production and aquaculture, thereby enhancing crop and livestock productivity, improving the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen, and contributing to the successful implementation of the Party and State's policies on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas in the new period;

2. Focus investment in constructing electric pumping stations in areas where planning has been clearly defined, where dike systems have been completed, where there is assured water supply, and border regions, remote areas, and areas with high concentrations of Khmer people. Priority should be given to repairing, upgrading, and replacing existing diesel-powered pumping stations serving water supply for production;

3. Strengthen socialization in investment and management of pumping stations to enhance the responsibility and benefits of local residents in the Mekong Delta, ensuring efficient and long-lasting use of these facilities.

II. OBJECTIVES

By 2015, replace most existing diesel-powered pumping stations and develop a system of medium and small-scale electric pumping stations according to the plan and in line with the socio-economic development orientation of the Mekong Delta provinces.

III. SCOPE

Construct a system of medium and small-scale electric pumping stations across the 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region, including Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, An Giang, Dong Thap, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, and Can Tho City.

IV. MAIN TASKS

1. Period 2009 - 2010

- Review and complete the planning of the electric pumping station system in line with water resources planning and power grid planning of the Mekong Delta provinces;

- Repair, upgrade, and improve existing operational electric pumping stations that have deteriorated to fully utilize their design capacity; replace existing diesel-powered pumping stations and construct new electric pumping stations where conditions permit;

- Construct electric pumping stations in border areas, remote areas, and areas with concentrated Khmer populations;

- Study and establish mechanisms and policies to strengthen socialization in the construction, management, and operation of electric pumping stations, enhancing investment efficiency and sustainable development;

- Establish models for organizing, operating, and utilizing electric pumping stations effectively, suitable to the customs of farmers and fishermen in the Mekong Delta.

2. Period 2011 - 2015

- Continue to invest in replacing most diesel-powered pumping stations, building new electric pumping stations, and forming a system of electric pumping stations according to the plan;

- Promote models of socialization in investment, management, operation, and utilization of electric pumping stations at both the local and regional levels.

V. DIRECTION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRIC PUMPING STATIONS

1. Development Direction

Based on objectives and tasks, build a system of electric pumping stations to serve agricultural production and aquaculture in the Mekong Delta region, specifically as follows (with attached appendices):

- Number of pumping stations expected by 2015: 3,120 stations (to be reviewed and adjusted continuously);

- Service area: 658,000 hectares of rice fields and approximately 6,000 hectares of aquaculture land;

- Total transformer capacity: 338,000 KVA;

- Electricity consumption: 512,250,000 KWh.

2. Selection of Pump Types and Capacity

Based on topography, geology, hydrology, and production service area, select appropriate pump types and capacities to meet technical and economic requirements.

VI. SOME KEY SOLUTIONS

1. On Planning

- The People's Committee of each province and city shall direct relevant departments and local levels to promptly review and prepare plans for constructing electric pumping stations in line with the socio-economic development plan and sectoral planning of the locality;

- The planning of the electric pumping station system must align with production planning (crop cultivation zones, aquaculture zones), field planning, dike and embankment systems, sluice gates, and internal road networks of each locality, ensuring they meet production needs, mitigate the impact of natural disasters, and ensure long-term and effective use;

- The planning of electric pumping stations must integrate with the comprehensive and complete construction of water resource infrastructure from sources, canals, dikes, embankments, sluice gates, and internal works, based on the power grid development plan of each region and locality, to reduce water loss and electricity consumption;

2. Regarding techniques

- Research and propose parameters for pumps, pumping stations, and transformers suitable for the natural conditions of the Mekong Delta (areas with thorough flood prevention, August flood prevention, delta areas, mountainous areas), production service area, and production type (rice, cash crops, fruit trees, aquaculture...) to produce synchronous pumps with three-phase motors suitable for natural conditions, flooding, weak geological foundations, and specific characteristics of Mekong Delta pumping stations (low pumping height, influence of floods, salinity, tides...);

- Research and propose the construction of internal water resource systems (dikes, embankments, sluice gates...) towards mechanized agriculture in the Mekong Delta;

- Construction of electric pumping stations must suit natural conditions, agricultural production conditions in each region, and tasks (water supply, drainage) to maximize the effectiveness of electric pumping stations.

3. On Mechanisms and Policies

Continue to implement Decision No. 56/2009/QD-TTg dated April 15, 2009 of the Government Chairman on amending and supplementing some articles of Decision No. 13/2009/QD-TTg dated January 21, 2009 of the Government Chairman on using state credit investment capital to continue implementing programs for canal reinforcement, rural road development, aquaculture infrastructure, and rural craft village infrastructure in the period from 2009 to 2015.

Study mechanisms and policies to support the electricity industry (through credit support for provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta) to focus on investing in building medium-voltage power lines and substations, serving as a basis for developing pumping stations.

Study mechanisms and policies to encourage economic sectors to participate in investing in and managing pumping stations to attract capital and community management participation, ensuring improved investment efficiency and long-term management.

Prioritize investment in repairing and upgrading existing pumping stations; build new pumping stations to replace diesel-powered ones where planning is clear, with adequate power grids and water sources, in areas where embankments and dikes have been completed, and where irrigation and drainage directions are clearly defined; in areas with high demand for water withdrawal.

4. On Management and Operation

- The provincial People's Committee shall direct and delegate the lower-level People's Committees to organize the assignment and bidding for organizations, individuals, and community groups to manage and operate pumping stations; relevant functional units shall be responsible for providing technical guidance and support.

- Strengthen, improve, and establish new water user cooperatives (in accordance with Decree No. 151/2007/ND-CP dated October 10, 2007 of the Government on the organization and operation of cooperatives) to ensure sufficient capacity to manage and operate pumping stations serving villages.

- Encourage organizations and individuals to invest or take contracts to manage and operate pumping stations according to specific regulations of each locality.

- Develop operational procedures for the system of pumping stations in line with agricultural production schedules, electricity supply schedules, and off-peak hours to reduce costs and enhance pumping station efficiency.

5. On Investment Capital

The implementation funds will be mobilized from multiple sources: government budget support, enterprise and individual capital, loans, and integration of funding from ongoing programs and projects in the same area.

Utilize preferential credit capital under Decision No. 56/2009/QD-TTg dated April 15, 2009 of the Government Chairman on amending and supplementing some articles of Decision No. 13/2009/QD-TTg dated January 21, 2009 of the Government Chairman on using state credit investment capital to continue implementing programs for canal reinforcement, rural road development, aquaculture infrastructure, and rural craft village infrastructure in the period from 2009 to 2015.

Mobilize community participation and contributions through land clearance work, construction, consolidation of embankment systems, sluices, channel dredging, and paddy field improvement; contribute to maintenance, repair, and operation costs of pumping stations.

6. Investment Costs of the Project

Estimated total investment cost (excluding investment in power grid and substation systems): 1,839 billion VND

Of which: Local capital: 1,267 billion VND

Capital from enterprises, cooperatives, joint ventures, and private individuals: 570 billion VND.

VII. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible for:

- Urge, inspect, and guide localities in planning and implementing plans; provide technical guidance; compile results after each phase and report to the Prime Minister.

Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta to develop investment plans to implement the project.

Coordinate with Vietnam Electricity Corporation to plan the construction of power networks and substations to ensure electricity supply for pumping stations according to the plan.

2. Provincial People's Committees of the Mekong Delta:

- Update and review plans for developing the system of pumping stations and power systems as a basis for investment and construction.

- Specify detailed mechanisms and policies to support organizations and individuals in investing in, managing, and operating pumping stations.

- Direct and guide the organization of management and operation of pumping stations to ensure effective and sustainable service for production.

- Allocate funds to support the construction of pumping stations according to the plan.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect from the date of issuance.

Article 3. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta are responsible for implementing this Decision.