Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: No power shortages for production, business, or consumption under any circumstances – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister and Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Chairman of the State Capital Management Committee Nguyen Hoang Anh, leaders of ministries, sectors, corporations, and power companies.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that production and business are recovering, the weather is preparing to enter the peak of the hot season, leading to an increase in electricity consumption.
Recalling the localized power shortages in 2023, the Prime Minister emphasized that this year, the focus must be on managing and strengthening electricity transmission capacity; increasing inspections and supervision, and not letting the situation reach a critical point.
A specific plan for electricity supply during the peak months of the dry season
The reports and opinions presented at the meeting assessed that in the past, the Government, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the sector have provided consistent, comprehensive, and coordinated guidance, requiring ministries, sectors, relevant agencies, and localities to implement specific tasks and solutions to ensure adequate electricity supply; The Prime Minister has also personally inspected and supervised the implementation of many power projects and transmission lines.
However, the demand for electricity during the dry season (May to July) is forecasted to grow significantly (up to 13%, much higher than the plan of around 9.6%), with the northern region alone expected to increase a record 17% compared to the same period in 2023.
The Prime Minister emphasized that this year, the focus must be on managing and strengthening electricity transmission capacity – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in the context of unfavorable hydrological conditions in the first three months of the year, to achieve the goal of maximizing the use of hydroelectric reservoir water, thermal power sources, especially coal-fired thermal power, have been mobilized to meet the demand for electricity; at the same time, electricity transmission from the South and Central regions to the North has been increased.
Although electricity demand has exceeded expectations, the national power system has met the actual electricity consumption needs in the first three months of the year, especially during the Lunar New Year and Tet Nguyen Dan holidays. In the first quarter of 2024, the cumulative electricity output reached 69.34 billion kWh, an increase of 11.77% compared to the same period in 2023; the average daily electricity output reached 762 million kWh, an increase of 10.4% compared to the same period in 2023.
To ensure electricity supply in 2024, especially during the peak of the dry season, as early as November 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) and relevant ministries, sectors, and units, developed a plan for electricity supply in 2024; developed electricity distribution plans; scenarios for balancing electricity output; balancing the capacity of power plants; implemented solutions for operating power plants; and promoted projects for investing in the construction of electrical works.
Minister and Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son speaking at the meeting – Photo VGP/Nhat Bac
Chairman of the State Capital Management Committee Nguyen Hoang Anh speaking at the meeting – Photo VGP/Nhat Bac
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Decisions approving the electricity supply and power system operation plan for 2024; coal supply schedule for power generation; gas supply plan for power generation; and in particular, a separate plan for electricity supply during the peak months of the dry season from April to July 2024.
In addition, the Ministry has closely monitored the supply of coal and gas for power generation; organized delegations to inspect the preparation for electricity supply during the dry season at power generation, transmission, and distribution units; and pushed for the progress of the 500 kV Quang Trach – Pho Noi transmission line to ensure electricity supply during the peak months.
Based on this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirmed that electricity supply for 2024 will be basically secured.
In the coming years, after the 500 kV circuit 3 Quang Trach – Pho Noi transmission line is put into operation with all the necessary technical conditions, the electricity system in the North will be supplemented with increased capacity/electricity from the Central and Southern regions.
However, with hydropower accounting for over 32%, the internal supply and demand in the North will often be imbalanced in case the hydrological situation is affected by climate change or the failure of coal-fired thermal power units. Therefore, it is essential to supplement new power sources, especially baseload power sources, for the North.
Also at the meeting, the Vietnam Electricity Group, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, and the Vietnam Coal and Minerals Group reported on the operation of power plants and measures to ensure stable operation of the plants, especially not scheduling maintenance or repairs during the dry, hot months.
The corporations and general companies in the oil, gas, and coal sectors also committed to ensuring sufficient fuel supply for electricity production. For example, the Coal and Minerals Group plans to supply about 42 million tons of coal for electricity production in 2024, an increase of about 1.735 million tons compared to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s plan.
A leader of TKV speaking at the meeting – Photo VGP/Nhat Bac
