Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The power sector will meet difficulties in meetingdemand from next year or 2020 considering the high growth at more than 10percent a year in electricity consumption, according to the Electricity ofVietnam (EVN) group.
At a review conference of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on July 9,EVN Chairman Duong Quang Thanh said the increase in electricity output over thepast years did not catch up with the growth of demand.
According to Thanh, electricitygeneration capacity was raised by 3,000 MW in the past period while demand grewby 4,000-5,000 MW.
The group has reported the problem to the Ministry of Industry and Tradeand suggested several solutions, including raising oil-fuelled electricity outputto ensure supply in 2019 and 2020, he said, adding that it will put highpressure on the group’s financial capacity but there is no other more feasiblechoice.
As from 2020 and beyond, thegroup is negotiating the purchase of electricity from regional countries,especially from Laos, and investors of solar power plants.
The EVN urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade to early issue a price frameworkto facilitate power purchase negotiations with Laos.
The group also proposed buying more electricity from China, at about 3-4billion kWh from the present level of 1.2-1.5 billion kWh.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said the ministry willaccelerate the development of the price framework for electricity purchase fromLaos.
He also acknowledged the difficulties facing the power sector. At thesame time, he urged the sector to continue working on its outstanding issuessuch as completing the competitive electricity market, the electricitygeneration market and restructuring enterprises in the sector.
The minister said the power sector should work to diversify sources of energysupply, ensure the energy system safety and improve energy use efficiencytowards the overall goal of meeting energy demand for national socio-economicdevelopment.
According to reports at the conference, the electricity sector posted a10.4 percent growth in the first half of this year, generating an estimated 99.68billion kWh of electricity, up 10.3 percent year on year, while commercial electricitywas estimated at 91.48 billion kWh.-VNA
VNA
