VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to promptly submit a proposal to adjust the price of electricity by the end of February this year.

He noted that priority should be given to regulating power transmission prices to enable the National Power Transmission Corporation to enhance its financial capacity and ensure efficient investment in the transmission network’s development.

The Deputy PM also urged ministries and relevant agencies to contribute to the project to amend the planning for national power development for 2011-2020.

He assigned the MoIT to complete a proposal on measures to ensure adequate power supply until 2020 through implementing policies and completing urgent construction priorities.

Meanwhile, the Deputy PM agreed to add the 600 megawatt Vinh Tan 4 thermal power plant expansion to the list of urgent priorities, so as the facility could become operational in 2019.

Drastic measures should be taken to remove obstacles and ensure the progress of a number of thermal power projects in the south, including Duyen Hai 1, Duyen Hai 3, the Duyen Hai 3 expansion, Vinh Tan 4, Long Phi 1 and Song Hau 1, he urged.

He requested businesses not export coal dust after 2015, and properly adjust the plan to exploit and store coal for power generation from 2018-2020. At the same time, a plan to amend the strategy for Vietnam’s coal sector should be finalised to ensure stable and sustainable growth of the sector.

Based on Vietnam’s current coal production capacity of 50-60 million tonnes per year, the MoIT and other authorised agencies should propose operating and under-construction thermal power projects to work out long-term coal consumption plans, he added.

He also asked for the mobilisation of resources for the development of power transmission and distribution to ensure power back-ups and a secure power supply.    

VNA