EVN’s General Director Tran Dinh Nhan said that due to prolonged hot weather and unfavourable hydrological conditions, the coal demand for thermal power plants in the northern region remains ‘at a high level’ to ensure power production.

EVN’s thermal power plants are estimated to need 6.03 million tonnes of coal in June and July.

The Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) and Dong Bac Corp, Vietnam’s two main coal suppliers, previously signed a contract with EVN to provide 4.38 million tonnes of coal in June and July, meaning thermal power plants remain still short of 1.64 million tonnes of coal compared to the plan.

While the Vinh Tan 2 Thermal Power Plant under the Power Generation Corporation 3 pledged to actively add about 600,000 tonnes of coal, EVN’s remaining plants are facing a shortfall of one million tonnes of coal, including 600,000 tonnes in June and 400,000 tonnes in July.

In order to continue to ensure coal for power generation in the peak months of the dry season, EVN ordered Dong Bac Corporation to supply enough coal as promised.

In May, the company provided 687,560 tonnes of coal to EVN's plants, excluding five percent of the additional volume agreed later by the company.

From June 1-11, the company has supplied 147,000 tonnes of coal, equal to 21.4 percent of the signed volume.

"Currently, power supply is facing many difficulties, so EVN needs the Dong Bac Corporation to supply enough coal for power generation," said Nhan.

Colonel Do Manh Kham, general director of Dong Bac Corporation, said the company would implement a series of solutions to ensure coal supply to EVN, especially in the remaining months of this year's dry season.

Many parts of the northern region have suffered massive power outages over recent days while many hydropower plants have suspended power generation due to the shortage of water.

Source: Dtinews