Serious power shortages this summer

Early strong heat waves recently swept across the three regions of Vietnam, especially in the north, resulting in a sharp increase in electricity consumption. The power industry even had to mobilize a high-priced oil source with an additional output of up to 14.6 million kWh to feed the national power transmission system.

El Nino is expected to return this year, meaning a scorching summer is anticipated. Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), the sole electricity supplier in the country, says more heat waves are set to hit the northern region this summer that may cause local overload for the power system, increasing the risk of large-scale blackouts.

It is increasingly difficult to ensure electricity supply, and partial power shortages may occur in the hot summer months from May to August, says an EVN representative, adding the northern region is likely to face a shortfall of between 1,600 and 4,900 MW.

Meanwhile, the southern region is also at risk of power shortages due to the fact that water levels in local rivers and lakes are drying up. At the Tri An hydroelectric dam, the largest of its kind in the south, the water level fell to 50.5m, close to the 50m ‘dead’ level.

In a report recently sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, EVN used the word ‘emergency’ to talk about difficulties in operating the system and ensuring electricity supply for the dry season.

Hydroelectricity is considered the cheapest of all power sources, but hydrological changes are not favourable. Coal and gas fired power also accounts for a large proportion, but the shortage of coal is taking place seriously.

Solutions proposed

At a meeting in Hanoi on May 13, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien asked national coal and gas groups to provide a sufficient supply of coal and gas for electricity generation.

He also asked Electricity of Vietnam to speed up negotiations to get more power sources and mobilise wind and solar power for domestic consumption during peak summer months.

Efforts must be made by all means to ensure power supply for production and consumption in the summer, said the minister.

Representatives of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV) and Dong Bac Corporation pledged to create maximum conditions for coal and gas supply for power generation.

Among the proposed solutions, the EVN representative said that the group will continue to optimally mobilize hydropower sources, along with increasing power transmission from the central region to the northern region.

EVN will negotiate with partners to increase electricity imports from China and from Laos. In addition, it will accelerate negotiations towards signing power purchase and sale contracts from Thai Binh 2 Thermal Power Plant, a number of hydroelectric power plants and transitional renewable power projects.

Source: VOV