The industrial production index (IIP) rose by 10.35 percent year on year in 2025, reflecting a clear recovery and positive growth momentum across the sector. Within this overall picture, the processing and manufacturing segment continued to post strong gains, underscoring its role as a core pillar of local industry. A major highlight was the completion and commissioning of the rubber latex processing plant in Thanh Nưa commune, with a designed capacity of 5,000 tons per year. The plant helps increase the value of agricultural products while creating additional room for the development of the province’s processing industry.

Nguyễn Công Tám, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Điện Biên Rubber Joint Stock Company, said that bringing the rubber latex processing plant into operation will ensure the consumption and processing of all harvested raw latex in the province. “It enables enterprises to be more proactive in production, improve business efficiency, create stable jobs, and raise incomes for workers and local residents”, he noted.

According to the Điện Biên Rubber Joint Stock Company, value added from processing is estimated at more than VND 4.7 million per ton. Once operating steadily, the plant is expected to increase the value of commodity output by around VND 30 billion per year and contribute approximately VND 15 billion annually to the State budget. It will also provide regular employment for about 70-80 local workers, with monthly incomes of at least VND 7.5 million per person.

Alongside production growth, the province continued to invest in power grid infrastructure, laying an important foundation for industrial activities. In 2025, Điện Biên implemented electricity supply projects that brought the national power grid to more than 2,800 households in 70 villages and hamlets, raising the proportion of households using grid electricity to over 96.29 percent, exceeding the annual plan.

The province also capitalized on its advantages by focusing on the development of the energy industry, particularly hydropower. During the year, three hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 47.5MW were completed and put into operation, bringing the total number of operating hydropower plants in the province to 23, with a combined capacity of 326.8MW. At the same time, work was accelerated on four hydropower projects under construction, with a total capacity of 51MW.

To achieve these results, the Department of Industry and Trade closely followed central and provincial programs and resolutions, proactively developing plans and solutions to implement key tasks. Vũ Hồng Sơn, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said that based on higher-level directives, the department has advised the provincial People’s Committee to synchronously implement industrial development programs and projects in line with the provincial master plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. The focus is on industry, handicrafts and industrial clusters, while reviewing and updating energy projects in the national power development plan to attract investment, promote industrial growth and support socio-economic development.

Building on the gains achieved, the industrial sector will enter 2026 with a proactive mindset, strong determination and clear growth targets. The industrial production index is expected to increase by 18.52 percent, making 2026 a year of acceleration and a key driver of the province’s economic growth.

Energy will remain a central pillar of Điện Biên’s industrial sector in 2026. For hydropower, the province will focus on the stable operation of 23 plants with a total capacity of 326.8MW, ensuring a safe and continuous electricity supply for production and daily life. Efforts will also be intensified to complete and bring into operation the Mường Tùng hydropower project, with a capacity of 13MW. In parallel, the province will step up the development of renewable and clean energy sources in line with approved planning. In 2026, Điện Biên aims to complete investment procedures and break ground on four renewable energy projects: Điện Biên 1 solar power plant; Nậm Pồ solar power plant; a solar power plant integrated with battery storage at Pá Khoang Lake (phase 1, approximately 70-100MW); and the Envision Nậm Pồ wind power project.

Along with power generation development, investment in grid infrastructure will continue to receive strong attention. Projects to supply electricity to rural, remote and disadvantaged areas will be implemented decisively, with the goal of raising the proportion of households connected to the national grid to over 97 percent, helping narrow development gaps between regions and improve living standards.

To meet these growth targets, Vũ Hồng Sơn said the main priorities are to review and propose updates to energy projects under the revised power development plan VIII, while urging investors to speed up project preparation and construction. The sector will also carry out tasks assigned by the central government and the province to ensure energy security, laying the groundwork for sustainable industrial development.

Two renewable energy projects including the Envision Nậm Pồ wind power plant and the Nậm Pồ 1 solar power plant are currently being prepared for implementation in Chà Tở and Si Pa Phìn communes. The Envision Nậm Pồ wind power project has a designed capacity of 125MW, with total investment estimated at around VND 4.375 trillion, while the Nậm Pồ 1 solar power project is expected to have a capacity of about 150MW. According to enterprise representatives, close coordination with provincial departments and agencies is underway to complete the necessary procedures, with construction of both projects expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

With clear objectives, coordinated solutions and strong determination, Điện Biên province expects its industrial sector to maintain positive growth momentum and make an increasingly important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development in the new period.