On April 5th, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 424/CT-TTg on strengthening measures to ensure electricity supply during the dry season months of 2010.
The directive stated that the severe drought that occurred nationwide from the second half of 2009 resulted in most hydropower reservoirs failing to reach the required normal water levels. It is estimated that the total shortfall in hydropower production due to the inability to fill reservoirs to full capacity amounts to nearly one billion kWh.
According to forecasts, from now until the end of the 2010 dry season, natural disasters and weather patterns will continue to be complex, with drought potentially lasting longer and the rainy season arriving later. This will significantly impact the availability of sufficient water for agricultural production and electricity for social needs.
Meanwhile, the economy is recovering and growing again, requiring a large amount of electricity. In the first three months of 2010, electricity demand increased by nearly 221 tons. It is projected that in 2010, electricity demand could increase by up to 181 tons, making electricity supply even more difficult without urgent and timely solutions. Although, in recent years, Vietnam has put into operation 2,000-3,000 MW of various power generation capacity each year, bringing the total power generation capacity of Vietnam to over 18,400 MW.
To ensure electricity supply for production and daily life, the Prime Minister requests: The Ministry of Industry and Trade to direct the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) and related units to regularly assess the electricity supply situation, balance the capacity and energy of the national power system and the power systems of the three regions (North, Central, and South), taking into account the transmission capacity of the interconnection lines between regions, assess the consumption situation and the reserve capacity ratio of the power system, and the meteorological and hydrological situation of each region... in order to propose optimal electricity supply solutions.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is also tasked with coordinating with other ministries, sectors, localities, and EVN to develop specific plans to ensure reasonable load balancing in case of electricity supply-demand imbalance.
In addition, it is necessary to regularly inspect and urge corporations and general companies that are investors in power projects to accelerate progress, ensuring that projects are put into operation on schedule, and guaranteeing absolute safety and quality of construction; and to coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications, other sectors, and localities to carry out propaganda work on electricity saving during the 2010 dry season.
The directive also states that EVN must coordinate with units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to effectively utilize water resources for power generation and water supply for agricultural production.
Closely coordinate with the National Center for Hydrometeorology, update weather and water resource forecasts to proactively develop effective operational plans and conserve water resources for power generation. Rationally mobilize the capacity and electricity of hydropower plants, purchased electricity from independent power plants, customer backup power sources, and increase electricity imports.
Urgently complete testing and commissioning of the power generation units of Quang Ninh 1 and Hai Phong 1 thermal power plants; and the Pleikrong and Se San 4 hydropower plants…
EVN also needs to continue utilizing coal-fired power plants during testing or acceptance phases; strengthen on-call duty, shorten repair times, and rearrange repair schedules for existing plants to increase electricity production during the dry season.
The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVI), following the Prime Minister's directive, must work with partners to ensure sufficient gas supply under contract for electricity production, especially during the dry months of 2010; coordinate closely with EVN in the supply and consumption of gas for electricity production; and ensure the technical conditions to avoid carrying out repairs and maintenance on the Group's gas production platforms and power generation units during the dry season of 2010.
For the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities, the Prime Minister instructed them to actively implement electricity saving measures; issue directives on electricity saving and organize inspections and monitoring of implementation in their respective areas.
Y NHUNG (According to the online newspaper vneconomy.vn)
