Vietnam - No power cuts, vows minister

There would be enough power to meet demand during this year's dry season from January to June thanks to added power generation sources and better operation of existing hydro-power plants, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Nam Hai. 

The dry season is usually peak time for power shortages due to insufficient water volume at hydro-plant reservoirs. Hydro power accounts for about 40 per cent of total domestic power supply. 

Extra confidence also exists because of the opening of the fifth turbine at Son La hydro-power plant late next month.

And the first turbine of Dong Nai 4 hydro-power plant is gearing up for operations after a test operation last week.

The deputy director of the ministry's Electricity Regulatory Authority, Dinh The Phuc, said that to ensure stable power supply during the dry season, two gas pipeline companies, Nam Con Son and Ca Mau, had been upgraded.

The ministry also had meetings with Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN), the Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and the Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) to review power supply plans.

PetroVietnam and Vinacomin were asked to make sure their gas supply companies were fully maintained to provide EVN with enough gas for power generation.

This year, to meet power demands for socio-economic development and daily use, EVN plans to produce 105.18 billion kWh - about 12 per cent higher than last year - and import 4.62 billion kWh from China.

The group also plans to add eight generators with a total capacity of 1,373MW in hydro plants at Son La, Dong Nai 4, Ban Chat and Kanak.

Another four power projects with a total capacity of 2,390MW are expected to begin this year, including four thermal power plans - Duyen Hai, O Mon, Thai Binh 1 - and Trung Son hydro-power plant. 

VNS 



Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.