A severe coal undersupply for a number of thermal power stations is looming large as floods triggered by torrential rain have affected coal mines in Quang Ninh Province, the nation’s biggest coal producing area.

Coal is swept away by floodwaters in Quang Ninh Province. Torrential rain and flooding have cost the coal industry at least VND1 trillion.

Nguyen Van Bien, deputy general director of the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin), told a meeting on August 3 that rain-triggered floods had dealt a blow to the coal industry and affected coal supply for thermal power plants.  

Preliminary statistics showed torrential rain and flooding from July 25 to 31 caused total damage of at least VND1 trillion (US$45.8 million) to the coal industry, VietnamPlus reports, citing sources at the meeting of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Bien said flooding had swept away some 7,000 tons of coal of Ha Lam Coal Co. in the northern province and disrupted coal extraction at many mines and blocked roads used for coal transport. Coal production could be halted for about one week and it takes the corporation about three to five months to return to normal coal production.

Bien said Vinacomin had stocked more than 10 million tons of coal before the downpours in Quang Ninh Province and other northern provinces. It has extracted more coal at mines on the ground these days for supply to thermal power plants with priority given to Duyen Hai 1.

In an urgent notice last Friday, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) warned a number of thermal power plants, especially Duyen Hai 1 and Vinh Tan 2, would face severe coal shortages.

The heaviest rain in 40 years in Quang Ninh Province submerged many areas such as Halong, Cam Pha, Mong Cai, Van Don, Hoanh Bo, Tien Yen, Dam Ha and Hai Ha, with many coal mines and transport ground to a halt.

Vinacomin explained to EVN last week that flooded and damaged internal roads from coal mines to ports made coal transport impossible. Coal loading at ports and in Hon Gai-Cam Pha area were also halted due to incessant rain with supplies for Duyen Hai 1 and Vinh Tan 2 projects suffering the most.

Vinacomin is running against time to repair roads in Hon Gai-Cam Pha area to resume coal transport to ports, secure a minimum coal loading capacity of 5,000 tons and 6,000 tons per day for Duyen Hai 1 and Vinh Tan 2 projects respectively.

Vinacomin expects to recover about 30-50% production capacity a week after rain stops and will prioritize coal supply for Nghi Son and Vung Ang power stations in addition to Duyen Hai 1 and Vinh Tan 2.

To cope with coal shortages, EVN has asked thermal power plants to seek alternative coal supplies to maintain their operations and the national power management center to reduce electricity supply from coal-fired power plants.

EVN said power supply for the southern region would remain stable, though.