EVN has submitted a report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) on coal supply for electricity generation. Its thermal power plants, including Thai Binh, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Nghi Son 1, Vinh Tan 2 and Duyen Hai 1, have not received enough coal as scheduled.

EVN has warned that this will affect electricity supply in 2023.

“If the coal supply situation does not improve, a lack of coal for electricity production is foreseeable,” EVN said. 

Meanwhile, demand for coal is higher in 2023 as the Thai Binh 2 thermal power plant has just been put into operation.

Coal supply for the plant in 2022 was unstable, which did not ensure electricity production at some moments. The domestic coal output (coal dust 5a.1) was not as high as committed in the coal purchase contract.

In Q4 2022, the coal supply capability of the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) and Dong Bac Corporation decreased. 

The coal inventory level at Thai Binh thermal-power plant was 10,000 tons, just enough for a two-day full load operation of two electricity generation units, on several days in late November and in December.

Therefore, one generation unit was suspended, according to EVN.

The import coal prices depend on fluctuations in the international coal market. It is very difficult to forecast market performance, which makes it difficult to plan operations of the power plants using imported coal.

EVN said that the prices of imported coal will be high, affecting operations of Vinh Tan 4 and other plants using imported coal.

To ensure enough coal for electricity production in 2023, EVN has asked MOIT to instruct Vinacomin and Dong Bac Corporation to prioritize supplying coal for electricity production. It has also asked coal suppliers to respect coal purchase contracts signed between them.

In early 2022, EVN complained about coal shortage. MOIT then released a document, emphasizing that in any case, coal shortage for power plants must not exist.

Luong Bang