Undergrounding Medium and Low-Voltage Power Grids in Provincial Urban Centers Must Be Synchronized, Safe, and Minimize Impacts on Residents

On the afternoon of October 13, Comrade Phung Thi Kim Nga — Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee — along with a working delegation conducted an on-site inspection of the medium and low-voltage power grid undergrounding project in the urban center area of Phu Tho province. Accompanying her were leaders of several departments and sectors.

The working delegation conducted on-site inspections at the area planned for low-voltage power line undergrounding renovation in Thanh Mieu ward and the area planned for medium and low-voltage line undergrounding renovation in Nong Trang ward.

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee Phung Thi Kim Nga inspecting the area planned for low-voltage power line undergrounding renovation in Thanh Mieu ward.

The Medium and Low-Voltage Power Grid Undergrounding Project in the urban center area of Phu Tho province was proposed by the Department of Industry and Trade for deployment across Viet Tri, Thanh Mieu, and Nong Trang wards.

The project carries an estimated total investment of approximately 797.9 billion VND, utilizing provincial budget public investment capital for the 2026–2030 period. Plans call for undergrounding approximately 21.55 km out of a total of around 55 km of main thoroughfares in Viet Tri urban area. Among this, approximately 75.7 km of 0.4kV low-voltage power lines and around 29.9 km of 22kV medium-voltage power lines will be undergrounded, combined with technical infrastructure investments serving underground cable placement.

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee Phung Thi Kim Nga inspecting the area planned for medium and low-voltage line undergrounding renovation in Nong Trang ward.

Following the on-site inspection, Vice Chairwoman Phung Thi Kim Nga requested the Department of Industry and Trade to lead and coordinate with departments, sectors, Phu Tho Power Company, telecommunications enterprises, and ward People’s Committees to review and agree on technical options, scopes, and execution order for each route; clarifying bottlenecks, handling solutions, individual agency/unit responsibilities, and execution timelines. Relevant local People’s Committees shall proactively engage in propaganda and mobilization to build public consensus.

The Vice Chairwoman noted that undergrounding must guarantee infrastructure synchronization, power supply safety, and minimize impacts on traffic, daily life, and business operations of residents. Agencies and units shall proactively coordinate execution, promptly reporting matters exceeding authority to the Provincial People’s Committee for consideration and guidance, ensuring conditions are met to deploy the project in accordance with statutory procedures.

Le Hoang