Decision No. 08/2004/CT-BCN on addressing the power shortage during the dry season in 2004

DIRECTIVE OF THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY

On addressing the power shortage during the dry season in 2004

Due to unfavorable weather conditions, from the beginning of 2004 until now, there has only been light rain with insignificant rainfall, lower than the average over many years. According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the water level in Hoa Binh Reservoir in the first months of 2004 is at its lowest level in the past 40 years. The possibility of an imbalance in power supply due to water shortages at hydroelectric reservoirs may lead to a power deficit for production and daily life in the dry season of 2004.

To proactively manage production and business operations, and be prepared to deal with potential power deficits that may occur in the remaining months of the dry season, the Minister of Industry requests the Vietnam Electricity Corporation, provincial industry departments, state-owned enterprises, and all relevant agencies and businesses within the industry to implement specific tasks as follows:

I. Vietnam Electricity Corporation Male

1. Implement stable and safe operation methods for the power system, mobilize maximum thermal power, gas turbine, and diesel sources, maintain  water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs, reserve energy for the last months of the dry season, ensuring sufficient power for enterprise production, and preventing widespread power outages for daily life.

2. Develop plans to mobilize external power sources and customer standby power supplies for use during power shortages.

3. Formulate contingency plans to address power shortages in specific areas.

4. Closely coordinate with the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to update information on weather and water resources, thereby proactively formulating flexible operational methods to meet customer electricity demands.

5. Strengthen inspections of transmission lines, particularly those leading from power generation centers and 500kV lines, promptly identifying defects to minimize incidents.

6. Direct local electricity companies to strictly adhere to operational discipline, coordinating with relevant sectors and levels to monitor compliance with load schedules by customers.

7. Organize extensive publicity through mass media regarding measures for efficient and economical electricity usage.

8. Accelerate the installation of multi-rate electronic meters, implementing peak and off-peak pricing for local electricity companies, to encourage customers to use electricity efficiently and economically.

II. Provincial Industry Departments

1. Coordinate with local electricity companies to develop load adjustment plans prioritizing order to prepare for power shortages.

2. Regularly organize publicity through mass media about electricity-saving measures, encouraging households engaged in production and business to use electrical equipment reasonably and reduce peak-hour consumption.

3. Strictly handle customers who violate registered power consumption schedules.

III. State-Owned Enterprises and Agencies under the Ministry

1. Develop plans for efficient and economical electricity use at production facilities, rationally arrange electrical equipment, reduce peak-hour consumption, and prepare independent power generation sources to ensure adequate power supply and stable production in case of power shortages.

2. Establish regulations for economical electricity use in administrative and public service units, emphasizing industrial practices in electricity use, regularly maintaining lighting, ventilation, air conditioning systems... to increase equipment efficiency and save electricity.

The Director of the Ministry's Office, Heads of Departments, Provincial Industry Departments, State-Owned Enterprises, and subordinate agencies and units are responsible for directing and organizing the implementation of this Directive./.