Vietnam PM requests stable power supply during peak period

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday ordered drastic, synchronous and effective measures to ensure stable power supply during the peak period this year and beyond.

In his dispatch sent to relevant agencies and localities, he said the upcoming dry season, from May to July, is anticipated to witness a significant surge in electricity consumption, about 13%, surpassing the initial forecast of 9.6%. Specifically, the northern region is expected to see an annual record rise of 17%.

The Minister of Industry and Trade, which oversees power production and distribution, was asked to direct the implementation of the government’s resolutions, the PM’s directives, official dispatches and guidelines, and the approved plan for electricity supply and operation of the national power system for 2024.

The ministry needs to enhance state management, and intensify inspections of the management and operation of the national power system to ensure its safety and effectiveness, the leader stressed.

Mechanisms and policies for direct electricity trading between power generation units and major electricity consumers; development of rooftop solar energy installations at residential homes, government buildings, and self-producing, self-consuming industrial parks; gas power; offshore wind and coastal wind energy must be promptly completed and submitted to competent authorities before April 30.

Electricity saving measures as specified in the PM’s directive for the 2023-2025 period and subsequent years must also be adopted.

State utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) was requested to focus on quickly and drastically deploying power source and grid projects, ensuring progress, quality, efficiency and environmental protection. Prominent among those is the 500 kV circuit 3 transmission line from Quang Trach district, the central province of Quang Binh to Pho Noi, the northern province of Hung Yen.

“It must strive to complete transmission line projects serving electricity imports from Laos in May 2024,” he noted.

EVN must direct its power plants to prepare all conditions for production, ensuring that they can run at full capacity in the peak months of 2024, he said.

Specific tasks were also assigned to other ministries, agencies and chairpersons of centrally-run municipal and provincial people’s committees.

Vietnam suffered power outages in early summer last year, mostly in the northern region, causing anger from households and manufacturing companies, including foreign ones. The government has repeatedly asked the industry ministry and other power firms to ensure electricity supply to avoid shortages.