The Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee has decided to establish a steering committee on speeding up the construction of 20 hydropower projects in the northern province.

The Committee will coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to consult on and propose solutions to tackle difficulties and obstacles to quicken projects and ensure they remain on schedule.

It will urge investors to implement projects in line with approved investment policies and to ensure project quality.

There are 73 existing hydropower projects in Lao Cai with a total capacity of over 1,148 MW.

Hydropower projects have helped create 1,800 jobs.

Mostly located in remote and disadvantaged areas, such projects have played an important role in improving the living conditions of local people and particularly in rural electrification.