On the morning of May 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting on the implementation of the 500 kV power line Project for the 3rd circuit of Quang Trach-Pho Noi, as well as ensuring electricity supply during the peak period in 2024, 2025, and subsequent years.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the meeting. Photo: Nhat Bac
At the meeting, a report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade showed that the combination of solutions to enhance electricity transmission from the South and Central regions to support the North, as well as ensuring electricity supply for the whole system in the first months of 2024, has been carried out effectively, meeting the electricity demand for production and daily life across the country.
The country’s electricity production and import in the first five months were estimated at 124.2 billion kWh, up 12.1% over the same period in 2023. Commercial electricity in the first five months was estimated at 110.24 billion kWh, up 14.1% over the same period last year.
Especially in late April, when scorching hot weather lasted in the three regions, electricity consumption surged to a record high. The country’s peak capacity reached 47,670 MW (on April 27), up 13.2% over the same period last year, and the highest daily electricity output reached 993 million kWh (on April 26).
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaks at the meeting
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in the coming time, the national power system will basically meet the electricity demand for socio-economic development and the needs of the people for most of the year 2024.
Regarding the 500 kV power line for the 3rd circuit of Quang Trach-Pho Noi, the weather is currently in the transition period, with unpredictable rain, shine, and thunderstorms, which poses challenges to the construction work.
However, ministries, branches, localities, the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), and the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) are working with contractors to overcome these difficulties and are determined to complete the projects as per the schedule assigned by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister requested to diversify electricity sources, including imports, but maximize domestic potential.
Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the construction of the 500 kV power line for the 3rd circuit is a key and challenging task, requiring the mobilization of all resources and good coordination among forces.
The Prime Minister requested EVN to review and rebuild the project schedule, controlling it on a daily and weekly basis. By June 20, the power line must be completed, followed by experiments, acceptance, and commissioning no later than June 30.
Regarding electricity supply, the Prime Minister said that up to this point, thanks to the experience gained in 2023, the agencies have done a better job of managing the situation, basically meeting the electricity demand and overcoming the challenges in April, the hottest month in history.
However, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to make more efforts and never be subjective and negligent. It is necessary to closely monitor the situation, prepare the highest plan, and be ready for the worst-case scenario to ensure electricity supply for production, business, and consumption in the coming time, especially in June 2024 when the 500 kV power line for the 3rd circuit is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
The Prime Minister requested to diversify electricity sources, including imports, but maximize domestic potential; properly and effectively coordinate the sources, including thermal power, hydropower, solar power, wind power, biomass power, etc. Power plants must calculate the appropriate time for maintenance and not stop operating at the same time.
The Prime Minister urged the speedy completion of power lines under construction, including the 500 kV power line for the 3rd circuit, and the development of mechanisms and policies to mobilize social resources and encourage investment in power transmission with the spirit of “harmonious benefits, shared risks” between the State, people, and businesses.
The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to urgently complete and promulgate decrees related to direct electricity sale and purchase; encourage rooftop solar power for self-use; and develop mechanisms for projects using natural gas and LNG, taking into account the opinions of related parties so that the policies can be implemented in practice, meet practical requirements, prevent corruption and negativity, and not cause complex problems.
Calling on enterprises to voluntarily reduce electricity use by 30% is inaccurate
The Prime Minister also requested EVN and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to continue to promptly provide official and accurate information, refuting inaccurate information about electricity supply to reassure people and businesses. Recently, they affirmed that the information calling on some enterprises in the North to voluntarily reduce their electricity use by 30% was inaccurate.
