Dak Nong: Over VND400B to Provide Electricity to Ethnic Minority

The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong has over the past decade invested more than VND400 billion ($18.8 million) in power transmission lines to serve ethnic minority people in its disadvantaged areas. According to Tran Toan, Director of the Dak Nong Electricity Company, the province prioritized the supply of power for 19 border and remote communes and upgrade of transmission networks in these areas. All districts and communes in the locality are now connected to the national grid, allowing 92% of their households to use the energy. In 2013, total output of commercial electricity was nearly 274 million kWh. In the time to come, the local sector will expand power lines in far-flung areas to help residents improve their living conditions. It will also coordinate with the Steering Board of the National Target Program on New Rural Development to fulfill the goal on rural electricity. (vietnamplus.vn Mar 26)