Vietnam will face grave consequences if it does not take strict action against pollution while striving to achieve the goal of 7% annual economic growth and power sector's 11% annual growth.

   The conference about environmental protection work at thermal power projects and plans to use the sea held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the People Newspaper on June 20.

The issue was discussed at the conference about environmental protection work at thermal power projects and plans to use the sea held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the People Newspaper on June 20.

Minister Nguyen Van Tai said thermal power plants were contributing about 35% of the total power output and the amount was rising. In the planning, thermal power plants will provide 53.2% of the total power by 2030.

"20 active coal-fired thermal power plants are consuming 40 million tonnes of coal and producing 14,675MW. By 2030, they will provide 55,300MW and consume 129 million tonnes of coal," Tai said.

He went on to say that the thermal power plants had worked hard to improve their equipment to limit pollution. However, after the inspections at 19 plants, the Vietnam Environment Administration said there were still many violations and environmental hazards.

The administration suggested completing legal documents and standards for the plants to ensure a sustainable development, increasing the number of trees and having a plan to shut down inefficient plants.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said the government would invest in modern and environmentally-friendly technology and plan to recycle slag from the plants as construction material.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will carefully review the technology and environmental protection work of a new project before giving consultation on whether the government should issue investment permits. 

dtinews