The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has said it will remove 471 small and cascade hydropower plants from its master plan and reject another 213 potential projects over environmental and efficiency concerns.

The decision came after a three-year review conducted in collaboration with authorities of provinces where hydropower projects had been planned…

Meanwhile, the owners of projects that are currently under construction or have already put into operation are required to fulfil their reforestation pledges and forest environment service payment obligations, otherwise they will be forced to stop construction or risk having their licences revoked.

The ministry also urged local authorities to increase oversight to ensure hydropower construction does not take advantage of lopping trees and transporting cut wood illegally…