Directive No. 04/2006/CT-BCN on ensuring safe and stable power supply during the dry season in 2006

DIRECTIVE

On Ensuring Safe and Stable Power Supply During the Dry Season in 2006

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According to the forecast of the National Load Dispatch Center, due to unfavorable hydrological conditions, the inflow of water into hydropower reservoirs is lower than the average over many years; the demand forecast may increase by more than 14% compared to 2005, leading to a possible peak power shortage during high-demand hours in the dry season of 2006, which could result in a power supply shortfall for production, business operations, and daily life.

To ensure efficient and economical power usage, stable power supply for production, business operations, and daily life, and minimize potential power outages that may occur during the dry season of 2006, the Minister of Industry requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, Groups, Corporations, and all industrial agencies and enterprises to implement specific tasks as follows:

I. PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES OF PROVINCES AND CENTRALLY GOVERNED CITIES

1. Direct the Department of Industry to carry out the following tasks:

a) Develop plans and implement measures to save electricity, submit them for approval by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city; strengthen inspections and promptly address cases where electricity-saving measures are not followed according to Directive No. 19/2005/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister within their jurisdiction; compile and report on the implementation of electricity-saving measures to the Ministry of Industry.

b) Coordinate with Electricity Companies to closely monitor the load curves of electricity users, propose appropriate three-shift work schedules for loads with a Pmax/Pmin ratio greater than 2.5 times, aiming to adjust the load curve and avoid having to limit power when there is a power shortage.

c) Coordinate with Electricity Companies to list electricity users in priority order under conditions of power shortage, submit for approval by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city, publicly announce, and implement power cuts or reductions according to Decision No. 39/2005/QĐ-BCN dated December 23, 2005 of the Minister of Industry regarding the regulations on conditions, procedures, and formalities for power cuts and reductions.

d) Strictly handle electricity users who violate registered power consumption schedules.

đ) Regularly inspect and supervise the use of lighting in government offices, public areas, and advertising, and establish suitable energy-saving lighting regimes based on local characteristics.

2. Direct the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and mass media organizations to actively promote electricity-saving measures, encourage households to use electrical appliances reasonably and reduce power consumption during peak hours.

II. VIETNAM ELECTRICITY CORPORATION

1. Continue to implement solutions to meet power demands from 2006 to 2010 as directed by the Prime Minister, ensuring investment in synchronous transmission lines with approved urgent power projects, accelerating the progress of power generation projects for the northern power system.

2. Fully exploit thermal power plants, gas turbines, and oil-fired power plants from the beginning of the dry season. Adjust the power generation plan of oil-fired gas turbines according to actual load conditions and hydrological conditions.

3. Continuously calculate and update the 2006 operation plan to timely adjust the national power system operation plan in accordance with actual developments.

4. Put interlocking circuits against failures on the power grid, especially on 500 kV lines, into operation to reduce the risk of widespread power outages.

5. Accelerate the replacement of series capacitors along the 500 kV Pleiku-Da Nang (line 2) section to be operational by April 2006 to enhance power exchange capacity between the North and South regions.

6. Proactively negotiate with gas suppliers to have reasonable operating methods, increasing gas supply capacity through the Nam Con Son pipeline during peak hours.

7. Direct Electricity Companies to coordinate with Departments of Industry in checking and supervising the implementation of electricity-saving measures according to Directive No. 19/2005/CT-TTg dated June 2, 2005 of the Prime Minister on implementing electricity savings within their jurisdictions.

8. Implement demand-side management (DSM) measures such as load management, installation of multi-rate meters, and reactive power compensation to encourage customers to use electricity efficiently and economically.

9. Organize extensive publicity through mass media about effective and economical electricity usage measures.

III. GROUPS, CORPORATIONS, AGENCIES, AND ENTERPRISES IN THE INDUSTRY SECTOR

1. Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation coordinates with Vietnam Electricity Corporation and gas suppliers to unify operational plans to increase gas supply during peak hours.

2. Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group ensures sufficient and stable coal supply for power plants.

3. Leaders of agencies and enterprises are responsible for issuing regulations on economical and efficient electricity usage at their units to implement Directive No. 19/2005/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister; develop plans, urge, and regularly inspect electricity usage at their agencies and enterprises. Arrange electrical equipment reasonably, reduce power consumption during peak hours, prepare independent power sources well to be ready to meet electricity needs and stabilize production in case of power shortages.

The People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, Groups, Corporations, and heads of agencies and enterprises in the industry sector are responsible for disseminating and implementing this Directive./.