VietNamNet Bridge - Two out of four electricity generation units at the Quang Ninh Thermopower Plant have halted operation since November 17 because of a shortage of coal supply. 

Leaders of the Quang Ninh Thermopower Plant confirmed the suspension, saying that the electricity output has decreased by 10 million kwh per day.

Other thermopower plants, including Hai Phong and Thai Binh, are also suffering from the coal crisis.

Vinacomin, the largest coal miner and supplier, said it provided 2.57 million tons of coal, while Dong Bac Corporation provided 395,000 tons. Under contracts signed between them, Quang Ninh Plant would receive 255,000 tons more until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the merchandise electricity output needs to reach 1.14 billion kwh and in order to do this, the plant will need 660,000 tons of coal, which means a shortage of 405,000 tons. 

If coal suppliers provide coal additionally, 10 percent of the contract value, the plant would still lack 145,000 tons. If not, Quang Ninh would have to stop operation of all its four electricity generation units.

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has confirmed that the supply of coal to thermopower plants has become short recently with coal reserves dropping to low levels. 

Quang Ninh only has 8,800 tons in reserve, which is not enough for one day of operation, while Hai Phong has 66,700 tons left (5-day operation).

As Vinacomin can exploit 36-37 million tons of clean coal per annum, it has to import coal to satisfy the demand of the economy. It is expected that 4 million tons of coal would be imported in 2019, about 9 million tons in 2020 and 16 million tons by 2030.

According to the General Department of Customs (GDC), in the first 10 months of 2018, Vietnam imported 17.3 million tons of coal at the average price much higher than the same period last year (VND2.7 million per ton vs VND2.3 million).

While the import price has increased sharply, Vietnam’s Anthracite high-quality coal has been exported at VND3 million per ton only.

GreenID, an organization working for environmental protection, has warned of the high risks for Vietnam when the country has not prepared well for coal imports. It still doesn’t have detailed plan on budgeting, transport means and ports.

GreenID has suggested changing the electricity generation structure in Vietnam by raising the electricity output from renewable energy from 21 percent to 30 percent, raising gas-run thermal power output from 14.7 percent to 22.8 percent and reducing coal-fired power output from 42.6 to 24.4 percent.

GreenID’s researchers believe that after 2020, Vietnam will not need to build new coal-fired power plants.

RELATED NEWS

Coal-fired thermal power used less worldwide, but heats up in Vietnam

Coal-fired power plants’ slag and ash cannot find outlets