Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the meeting on the deployment of the 500 kV power line Project and ensuring electricity supply during the peak period in 2024, 2025 and the following years – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
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Also attending the working session were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Chairman of the State Enterprise Assets Management Committee Nguyen Hoang Anh, leaders of ministries, sectors, and localities with projects, and corporations and general corporations in the energy sector.
Regarding electricity supply, according to reports, in the first five months of 2024, against the backdrop of rising electricity consumption and unfavorable hydrological conditions, maximum efforts have been made to save water in hydropower reservoirs, and thermal power sources, especially coal-fired thermal power in the North, have been mobilized at high levels.
Combining solutions to enhance electricity transmission from the South and Central regions to support the North, the electricity supply for the whole system in the first months of 2024 has been carried out effectively, ensuring sufficient electricity for production and daily life across the country.
The country’s electricity production and import in the five months were estimated at 124.2 billion kWh, up 12.1% over the same period last year. Commercial electricity in the five months was estimated at 110.24 billion kWh, up 14.1% year on year.
Especially, the prolonged scorching heat in late April across the three regions caused a record rise in electricity consumption, with the country’s peak capacity reaching 47,670 MW (on April 27), up 13.2% year on year, and the highest daily electricity output hitting 993 million kWh (on April 26).
In the time to come, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the national power system will basically meet the demand for socio-economic development and the people’s daily life for most of the time in 2024.
This is based on the active preparation of fuel sources for power generation. The total amount of water in hydropower reservoirs, converted into electricity output, is about 11.3 billion kWh, which is a power reserve for the upcoming peak period.
Regarding power balance, the Central and Southern regions can meet the power balance. However, the Northern region potentially faces a shortage of peak capacity, especially in the peak hot months (from June to August) if unfavorable factors occur simultaneously.
Regarding the 500 kV power line Project, the current weather is in the transition period, so erratic rain, shine, and thunderstorms are causing difficulties for construction. However, ministries, sectors, localities, the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), and the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) are working with contractors to make efforts to overcome difficulties and are determined to complete the projects as per the Prime Minister’s directions.
So far, 1,177 out of 1,177 foundation pits (100%) and 478 out of 513 spans (93%) have been handed over. Regarding the supply of steel poles, 667 out of 1,177 poles have been handed over.
In terms of construction, foundation construction has been completed for 1,162 out of 1,177 positions, and is being carried out at 15 out of 1,177 positions; 398 out of 1,177 poles have been erected, and erection is underway at 222 out of 1,177 positions; and wire pulling has been completed for 10 out of 513 spans and is being conducted for seven out of 513 spans.
EVN is urging construction contractors to focus on human resources and equipment to soon complete foundation construction, pole erection, and wire spreading as committed; and urging equipment suppliers (steel poles, wires, insulators, accessories, optical cables, etc.) to urgently complete manufacturing and transport to the site for erection.
Controlling the progress of the power line project on a weekly and daily basis
Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh clarified that the construction of the 500 kV power line is a key and important task, which is also difficult and requires the mobilization of all resources and good coordination among forces.
The Prime Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated the results in the implementation of the 500 kV power line Project, many of which have been done well, such as site clearance, foundation and pole construction, and wire pulling.
This is thanks to the very active participation of secretaries and chairmen of provincial People’s Committees; the support of the people, especially those who have given up their residential and production areas for the project; the efforts of EVN and EVNNPT; the active involvement of ministries and sectors; and the enthusiastic work of 8,000-10,000 officers, engineers, workers, and employees at the site.
The Prime Minister pointed out six lessons: (1) Grasp requirements, tasks, and situation developments to have suitable solutions to promote assigned tasks, promptly respond to policies, and handle sudden and unexpected issues and obstacles; (2) work in a scientific manner, with thorough design and complete dossiers, and organize the implementation in a methodical manner in line with legal regulations; (3) mobilize human, financial, and material resources suitable for the requirements of each period and stage; (4) rely on the people because resources come from thinking, motivation comes from renovation, and strength comes from the people; (5) pay attention to propaganda and mobilization and launch emulation movements to promote positive values, advanced individuals and units, good practices, and useful experiences; and (6) coordinate closely, tightly, synchronously, and effectively among ministries, sectors, and localities.
The Prime Minister pointed out that besides the very basic results, relevant sides need to make more efforts to address difficulties and obstacles in the implementation of the project relating to poles, spans, human resources, and customs clearance of equipment.
Accordingly, the provinces of Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Hung Yen, which have many spans (3-9 spans each) that have not been handed over, must urgently complete this work.
EVN should focus on working with and urging contractors to ensure the supply of sufficient poles; review equipment imports and work with partners to promote this work in line with requirements on progress and quality.
Regarding human resources for wire pulling and pole erection, EVN should calculate and work closely with units with capacity and experience such as PVN, Viettel, and VNPT. These units will provide maximum support in terms of human resources and equipment as requested by EVN.
Regarding obstacles in customs clearance of goods, which are equipment for the project, EVN should summarize specific information (customs clearance border gates and time), coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport to handle this issue, and the two ministries will work with relevant agencies of partner countries. The Ministry of Finance will direct customs forces at border gates to facilitate and promote customs clearance.
The Prime Minister requested EVN to review and build a new project schedule, control the progress on a daily and weekly basis, and complete wire pulling by June 20 and then carry out testing, acceptance, and power transmission by June 30 at the latest.
The project implementation must ensure progress, improve quality, ensure safety and environmental sanitation, especially when construction is carried out in many terrains during the hot season and rainy and flood season with a high risk of landslides, and prevent corruption and negativity.
Ministries, agencies, investors, contractors, and employees must be more determined and make more efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges and complete tasks in line with assigned functions, tasks, and powers; and coordinate closely and effectively and inform each other of specific requirements.
Regarding specific tasks, the Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien to continue directing, inspecting, and urging in line with the Prime Minister’s directions.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and EVN will urgently organize the appraisal and completion of the project’s compensation framework, which must be completed this week at the latest.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaks at the meeting – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
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The Ministry of Transport will direct relevant agencies to soon complete an agreement on construction solutions at positions where the power line crosses roads and railways.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to maintain weekly meetings on the project; and direct Vietnamese trade offices in countries from which EVN imports equipment to promote this work, considering it a key task in May and June.
Secretaries of provincial Party Committees will continue to pay attention to directing, inspecting, and urging the implementation of the project in localities; chairmen of provincial People’s Committees will perform tasks within their competence. Localities will continue to coordinate with ministries and sectors, especially EVN and EVNNPT, to mobilize resources and human resources to implement the project, including young volunteers; ensure the rights and legitimate interests of people in areas through which the project passes; and urgently complete site clearance with the motto “leaving no household behind”, hand over the cleared sites, and ensure construction conditions and wire pulling.
EVN will regularly inspect and urge contractors to focus on human resources and equipment to strongly implement the project with the spirit of “only discussing how to do, not how to retreat”, “overcoming the sunshine and winning over the rain”, “eating hastily and sleeping urgently”, working in “3 shifts and 4 groups”, even on holidays and the Lunar New Year holiday, while ensuring labor regeneration capacity and legitimate rights and interests of employees; handle procedures for settlement and payment promptly; and be determined to complete the project and put it into operation on June 30.
By Nhat Quang
