Chairing a meeting on May 26 on the implementation of Vietnam’s adjusted national power development plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that energy security was a strategic and urgent task tied directly to economic growth, green transition and digital transformation.

The meeting was held by the State Steering Committee for key national energy programs and projects.

Reporting at the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung said energy security was not only about ensuring sufficient electricity supply but also maintaining safe and uninterrupted system operations during extreme situations.

He added that energy prices must remain affordable for both households and businesses without negatively affecting macroeconomic stability.

Following the approval of the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII, the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade had issued multiple directives to speed up major power generation and transmission projects while implementing measures to secure electricity supply during peak demand periods in 2026 and the 2027-2030 period.

However, the ministry acknowledged that many power generation and grid projects were falling behind schedule and would likely fail to become operational on time before 2030, posing serious risks to national energy security.

The ministry proposed an urgent review and update of the adjusted power development plan to improve feasibility, including identifying priority projects for immediate implementation, particularly baseload power projects in major demand centers.

It also called for stronger coordination in operating interconnected hydropower and irrigation reservoir systems.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc said authorities must candidly recognize the shortcomings and obstacles in implementing the national power plan.

He emphasized that Vietnam “must not allow electricity shortages under any circumstances” and instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to accelerate nationally significant energy projects.

The ministry was also tasked with directing local authorities to speed up investor selection processes for power generation and transmission projects included in the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII and ensure investors meet approved timelines.

Pham Gia Tuc ordered the ministry and local governments to regularly monitor investors and expedite procedures so projects could begin construction and operations as quickly as possible.

He urged agencies to set clear operational deadlines and strive to complete projects one to two years earlier than planned.

“We cannot allow further delays. If necessary, special mechanisms and simplified administrative procedures must be introduced to accelerate strategic energy projects beyond schedule,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

He also instructed authorities to review all planned power projects and remove those deemed impossible to complete during the 2026-2030 period, replacing them with alternative energy sources.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade would bear ultimate responsibility before the Prime Minister for implementing the national power development plan to meet socio-economic growth targets, he added.

The ministry was further instructed to update all national electricity supply-demand scenarios for 2026-2030 based on actual project progress and develop contingency plans for potential shortages to ensure stable and continuous electricity supply.

Authorities were also asked to establish regular reporting and early-warning mechanisms to improve operational flexibility and identify risks of future shortages in advance.

Local governments were ordered to take firm action against investors responsible for delayed projects that could threaten electricity supply security.

Tran Thuong