DECREE NO. 105/2005/ND-CP PROVIDES DETAILED PROVISIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN ARTICLES OF THE ELECTRIC POWER LAW

DECREE

Regulations on Detailed Provisions and Guidance for Implementation of Certain Articles of the Electricity Law

_____________________

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Electricity Law dated December 3, 2004;

At the request of the Minister of Industry,

DECREE:

Article 1. Scope of Application

This Decree stipulates detailed provisions and guidance for implementation of certain articles of the Electricity Law concerning large power plants with special significance; responsibility for investment in construction of substations; management of electricity demand; energy conservation; purchase and sale of electricity contracts; ensuring quality of electric power; metering of electricity, payment for electricity, purchase and sale of electricity with foreign countries, electricity prices; permits for electricity business activities; electrical safety; support for electricity units and state management contents in the field of electricity business and electricity use.

Article 2. Large power plants with special significance

1. Large power plants with special economic and social significance, national defense, and security as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 4 of the Electricity Law include:

a) Nuclear power plants;

b) Some hydropower plants.

2. The Ministry of Industry shall submit to the Prime Minister for approval the list of power plants as prescribed in this Clause.

Article 3. Responsibility for investment in construction of substations

1. Power generation units are responsible for investing in the construction of switching stations and transformer stations within their management scope in synchronization with power generation technology equipment to connect to the power system, except where otherwise agreed.

2. Transmission and distribution units are responsible for investing in the construction of transformer stations, switching stations, and reactive power compensation stations within their management scope, except where otherwise agreed.

Article 4. Construction and renovation of power grids for energy conservation

1. New transmission and distribution lines and transformer stations must be designed and equipped with technical and technological facilities suitable for industry regulations, standards, Vietnamese Standards, or equivalent or higher international standards approved for application in Vietnam by competent state authorities.

2. Transmission and distribution units are responsible for developing plans and timelines for renovating and upgrading existing transmission and distribution lines and transformer stations to ensure economic and technical standards as prescribed.

Article 5. Management of electricity demand

Management of electricity demand as prescribed in Point a, Clause 1, Article 16 of the Electricity Law includes activities encouraging and guiding changes in electricity usage methods; increasing the efficiency of equipment; preventing waste, reducing power loss; reducing peak load, reducing load difference between peak and off-peak hours.

Article 6. Responsibility for managing electricity demand

1. The Ministry of Industry is responsible for:

a) Building and submitting to the Prime Minister for approval the national target program on electricity demand management and guiding and organizing its implementation;

b) Issuing industry standards and legal normative documents on electricity demand management;

c) Guiding electricity units in building programs and plans for electricity demand management, management methods, and evaluation of implementation results.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for issuing Vietnamese Standards on energy-saving limits for electrical equipment.

3. The Ministry of Construction is responsible for issuing technical standards related to energy efficiency in buildings.

4. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for establishing financial mechanisms to encourage and support electricity demand management activities, research, and development related to electricity demand management.

5. Electricity units are responsible for:

a) Implementing electricity demand management activities;

b) Reporting the results of implementing electricity demand management plans as prescribed by the Ministry of Industry.

6. Electricity users are responsible for participating in the implementation of contents in the electricity demand management program.

Article 7. Purchase and Sale Contracts for Electricity for Domestic Purposes

1. Conditions for signing purchase and sale contracts for electricity for domestic purposes:

a) The electricity buyer must have full civil capacity according to the law and submit an electricity purchase application form along with a copy of one of the following documents: permanent residence registration or temporary residence certificate, property ownership certificate, or lease agreement;

b) The electricity seller must have a distribution network capable of supplying electricity to meet the buyer's needs.

2. The electricity seller must sign a contract and supply electricity to the buyer within seven working days from the date the buyer meets the conditions prescribed in Point a, Clause 1 of this Article. In cases where there is no distribution network or the distribution network is overloaded, confirmed by the power dispatch authority, the electricity seller must respond to the buyer within five working days, specifying the expected time for electricity supply.

3. The Ministry of Industry shall issue a model contract for the purchase and sale of electricity for domestic purposes.

Article 8. Violations of electricity purchase and sale regulations

1. Violations by the electricity seller include:

a) Delaying electricity supply after signing a purchase and sale contract;

b) Failing to ensure the quality, quantity, and stability of electricity supply according to the signed contract, except in cases of force majeure;

c) Ceasing or reducing electricity supply not in accordance with Article 27 of the Electricity Law;

d) Failing to notify the electricity buyer about power grid incidents and delaying repair work when incidents occur, except in cases of force majeure;

đ) Delaying energizing customer projects that have met operational conditions;

e) Recording incorrect meter readings; calculating incorrect electricity charges in bills; selling at incorrect prices;

g) Using measuring devices that do not meet specified standards;

h) Unauthorized use of customer-owned power facilities to supply electricity to other organizations or individuals;

i) Ceasing or reducing electricity supply to customers who should not be subject to restrictions during power shortages;

k) Delaying or refusing to compensate the electricity buyer for losses caused by their own fault;

l) Other violations of electricity purchase and sale regulations.

2. Violations by the electricity buyer include:

a) Delaying implementation of signed contracts in cases of bulk electricity purchases for resale to other organizations or individuals;

b) Using electricity for purposes other than those stated in the contract;

c) Failing to cut off electricity or reduce consumption as requested by the seller due to force majeure incidents;

d) Exceeding registered capacity in the load profile chart in the purchase and sale contract during peak hours.

d) Using additional power sources from the seller without authorization beyond those specified in the contract;

e) Disconnecting, connecting, repairing, or moving the electrical equipment and facilities of the seller's power grid;

g) Failing to terminate the contract when electricity usage ceases;

h) Damaging the electrical equipment or facilities of the seller;

i) Delaying payment for electricity without a valid reason as prescribed;

k) Causing accidents affecting the seller's power grid;

l) Engaging in fraudulent practices in the use of electricity in any form;

m) Delaying or failing to compensate the seller for damages caused by their own fault;

Other acts violating regulations on the purchase and sale of electricity;

3. The Ministry of Industry shall guide the procedures and formalities for resolving disputes arising from requests for mediation by authorized agencies or organizations concerning electricity purchase and sale contracts;

Article 9. Quality of Electric Power

1. The seller must ensure that the quality of electric power supplied to the buyer meets the following standards:

a) Voltage: Under normal conditions, the permissible voltage deviation is within ± 5% of the nominal voltage of the power grid, measured at the location of the metering device or another agreed-upon location. For unstable grids post-incident, the permissible voltage deviation ranges from +5% to -10%;

b) Frequency: Under normal conditions, the permissible frequency deviation of the system is within ± 0.2 Hz of the nominal frequency of 50 Hz. In case of incidents, the permissible frequency deviation is ± 0.5 Hz;

2. Buyers using electric power for production, business, or services with a maximum load capacity of 80 kW or transformer capacity of 100 kVA or more shall be responsible for:

a) Registering load profiles and technical characteristics of electrical equipment with the seller;

b) Ensuring a power factor (cosφ) of ≥ 0.85 at the metering point under conditions where the system ensures the quality of electric power as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

c) Installing reactive power compensation devices if the power factor (cosφ) is less than 0.85 to raise it to ≥ 0.85 or to purchase additional reactive power from the seller's system;

3. If the buyer has the capability to supply reactive power to the system, both parties may negotiate the purchase and sale of reactive power through a contract;

The Ministry of Industry shall lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to guide the purchase and sale of reactive power as provided in this Article;

4. The parties may agree on different quality standards for electric power from those specified in points a and b of Clause 1 of this Article;

Article 10. Metering of Electric Power

1. Where a buyer uses electricity for multiple purposes with different rates, separate meters shall be installed for each purpose. In cases where separate meters have not been installed, both parties must agree on a method to calculate the proportion of electricity consumption according to each rate;

2. When replacing meters, both the buyer and seller must jointly sign a record confirming the meter readings;

3. In cases where meters are lost or damaged causing power outages, both parties must prepare a record to determine the cause and responsibility of the relevant parties. If the cause cannot be determined as being due to the buyer's fault, the seller shall be responsible for repairing or replacing the meter and continuing to supply power to the buyer;

Article 11. Recording Meter Readings

1. For electricity used for residential purposes, the seller shall record meter readings once a month on a designated day, allowing for a shift in recording time by one day before or after the designated day, except in cases of force majeure;

2. For electricity used for non-residential purposes, the recording of meter readings by the seller shall be as follows:

a) Less than 50,000 kWh/month, record once a month;

b) From 50,000 to 100,000 kWh/month, record twice a month;

c) More than 100,000 kWh/month, record three times a month;

3. For buyers using less than 15 kWh/month, the cycle for recording meter readings shall be agreed upon by both parties;

4. For bulk electricity sales, the timing of meter readings shall be agreed upon in the contract;

5. The seller must ensure the accuracy of recorded meter readings;

Article 12. Responsibility for Protecting Electricity Meters

1. Protect the electricity meters within their management area as agreed in the electricity purchase and sale contract. If meters are lost, compensation must be paid, and if they are damaged, repair costs and inspection fees must be borne;

2. Do not remove or move meters without authorization. When moving meters to another location, permission from the seller must be obtained and relocation costs must be borne;

Article 13. Inspection of Disputed Metering Equipment

1. The Provincial Department of Industry, under the central government, is the state management agency for electricity activities and usage in its locality and is responsible for organizing inspections of disputed metering equipment as required by the buyer in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 25 of the Electricity Law;

2. Independent inspection organizations of disputed metering equipment must be entities without any rights or interests related to the parties involved in the electricity purchase and sale and must not have previously participated in inspecting the disputed metering equipment;

Article 14. Payment for Electricity

1. Electricity bills are issued based on the meter reading cycle;

2. In cases where the meter runs faster than the standard, the amount of electricity to be paid shall be calculated according to Article 23 of the Electricity Law and determined as follows:

a) If the period of fast running can be determined, the seller must refund the excess electricity charges collected from the buyer;

b) If the exact period of fast running cannot be determined, the seller must refund the excess electricity charges collected over four billing cycles, including the current cycle up to the next meter reading date;

3. In cases where electricity is used during periods when the meter is missing or not functioning, the amount of electricity to be paid shall be calculated based on the average daily electricity consumption of the three most recent meter reading cycles multiplied by the actual number of days of electricity usage. The actual number of days of electricity usage is calculated from the last meter reading date until the meter resumes operation.

4. The competent authority to organize mediation as provided for in Clause 5, Article 23 of the Electricity Law is the Department of Industry or another organization agreed upon by both parties.

Article 15. Purchase and sale of electricity with foreign countries

1. The competent authority to permit the purchase and sale of electricity with foreign countries as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 28 of the Electricity Law is the Prime Minister.

2. The Ministry of Industry shall examine the proposals for purchasing and selling electricity with foreign countries from power units and submit them to the Prime Minister for decision.

Article 16. Retail electricity prices

1. Retail electricity prices set by retail electricity suppliers who purchase electricity through the national grid system to sell directly to end-users shall be implemented at the levels approved by the Prime Minister in the retail electricity price list.

2. Retail electricity prices for independent power producers selling directly to end-users shall be agreed upon by both parties but shall not exceed the ceiling price in the retail electricity price list approved by the Prime Minister.

3. Retail electricity prices under time-limited electricity purchase and sale contracts in the competitive retail market shall be agreed upon by the buyer and seller but shall not exceed the ceiling price in the retail electricity price list approved by the Prime Minister.

4. Retail electricity prices for large end-users in the competitive wholesale and retail markets are regulated as follows:

a) Purchasing electricity through time-limited contracts at prices agreed upon by both parties but not exceeding the ceiling price in the retail electricity price list approved by the Prime Minister;

b) Purchasing electricity on the spot market at prices announced by the market operator at the time of transaction.

Article 17. Soliciting opinions on the retail electricity price list

1. The electricity regulatory agency is responsible for soliciting opinions from relevant agencies, organizations, and customers regarding the retail electricity price list.

2. The Ministry of Industry shall provide guidance on the procedures and formalities for soliciting opinions on the retail electricity price list.

Article 18. Time limit for reviewing and deciding on the retail electricity price list

1. Within seven working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Ministry of Finance must issue a written review opinion on the retail electricity price list.

2. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving the retail electricity price list with comments from relevant ministries and sectors and the review document from the Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister decides on approving the retail electricity price list.

3. In cases where it is necessary to extend the time for reviewing the retail electricity price list, the reviewing agency must notify the submitting agency in writing. The maximum extension period shall not exceed fifteen working days from the prescribed time.

4. The Ministry of Industry shall guide the methods for preparing, reviewing, and submitting the retail electricity price list.

Article 19. Announcing the retail electricity price list

1. The electricity regulatory agency is responsible for announcing the new retail electricity price list after approval by the Prime Minister through mass media or other information channels.

2. Power units must post the retail electricity price list at their main offices and transaction locations.

Article 20. Power generation prices and wholesale electricity prices

1. Power generation prices and wholesale electricity prices under time-limited electricity purchase and sale contracts are determined by power units based on agreements between the electricity buyer and seller but shall not exceed the ceiling price approved by the competent state authorities.

2. Under conditions where power generators and wholesale electricity sellers depend on each other and cannot be replaced, and there is no competition in the market, if the buyer or seller fails to agree on purchase and sale prices for time-limited electricity purchase and sale contracts or at the request of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Industry shall cooperate with the Ministry of Finance to negotiate prices according to current laws. The negotiated price results agreed upon by all parties shall serve as the basis for signing time-limited electricity purchase and sale contracts.

3. If negotiations fail to reach an agreement on the price level even after organizing price negotiations, the Ministry of Industry shall decide on a temporary price level based on a written agreement from the Ministry of Finance until the buyer and seller agree on the final price level.

Article 21. Conditions for Issuing an Electricity Business License

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in power generation must meet the following conditions:

a) Possess technological equipment, service facilities, workshops, and architectural works according to approved technical designs, constructed, installed, inspected, and accepted in compliance with current technical standards and regulations;

b) Direct technical and production managers must have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field and at least five years of work experience in the electricity production sector. The workforce directly operating the equipment must be trained and tested on operational procedures and safety regulations.

2. Organizations engaged in transmission and distribution of electricity must meet the following conditions:

a) Possess technological equipment, service facilities, workshops, and architectural works according to approved technical designs, constructed, installed, inspected, and accepted in compliance with current technical standards and regulations, meeting the requirements for maintenance, repair, and inspection of power transmission lines, substations, switching stations, and compensation stations within the transmission and distribution system;

b) Direct technical managers must have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and at least five years of work experience in the transmission and distribution sector. The workforce directly operating the equipment must be trained and tested on operational procedures and safety regulations.

3. Organizations and individuals engaged in wholesale and retail electricity sales must meet the following condition:

Direct technical and production managers must have a degree in electrical engineering and at least five years of work experience in the technical, production, and business sectors of electricity. The workforce directly operating the equipment must be professionally trained and tested on operational procedures and safety regulations as specified by their rank.

4. Organizations and individuals engaged in rural electricity sales must meet the following condition:

Direct operators and repair personnel must be professionally trained in electrical engineering, hold a certificate issued by a vocational training institution, possess professional qualifications, undergo training and examination on electrical safety, and obtain a safety card from the Department of Industry to work in the rural power grid.

5. Professional consulting organizations in the electricity sector must meet the following conditions:

a) Have a team of experts suitable for the consultancy fields;

b) Leading experts in the main consultancy areas of the organization must have a bachelor's degree or higher and at least five years of work experience in the consultancy sector.

Article 22. Content of the Electricity Business License

The Electricity Business License issued for power generation, transmission, and distribution activities must clearly specify the contents prescribed in Clause 4 and Clause 5 of Article 35 of the Electricity Law, specifically as follows:

1. Power Generation Activities:

a) Installed capacity and operating mode in the system;

b) Fuel or water source used;

c) Training and utilization of labor;

d) Safety.

2. Transmission and Distribution Activities:

a) Voltage level and area of operation;

b) Transmission and distribution capacity and area of operation;

c) Training and utilization of labor;

d) Safety.

Article 23. Term of the Electricity Business License

1. The term of the power generation license shall be consistent with the technology of each type of power plant and the request of the organization or individual applying for the license but not exceeding fifty years.

2. The term of the electricity transmission license shall be based on the request of the organization applying for the license but not exceeding thirty years.

3. The term of the electricity distribution license shall be based on the request of the organization or individual applying for the license but not exceeding twenty years.

4. The term of the wholesale and retail electricity sales license shall be based on the request of the organization or individual applying for the license but not exceeding ten years.

5. The term of the professional electricity consulting license shall be based on the request of the organization applying for the license but not exceeding ten years.

Article 24. Amending and Supplementing the Electricity Business License

1. The Electricity Business License may be amended or supplemented upon the request of the organization or individual holding the license when there is a change in any of the contents stipulated in the Electricity Business License under Article 35 of the Electricity Law.

2. For the purpose of protecting economic and social interests and public welfare, the issuing authority has the right to amend or supplement the Electricity Business License for electricity transmission and distribution activities. Such amendments or supplements must be commensurate with the capabilities of the entity holding the license.

Article 25. Procedure and Formalities for Issuing, Amending, and Supplementing the Electricity Business License

1. Organizations and individuals applying for an Electricity Business License must submit three sets of application files in accordance with Article 33 of the Electricity Law and specific guidelines issued by the Ministry of Industry for each type of electricity activity; they are responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of the application files.

2. Within five working days from the date of receipt of the application file for issuance, amendment, or supplementation of the Electricity Business License, the issuing authority must notify the electricity enterprise in writing whether the file is valid or invalid. In case the file is invalid, the issuing authority must clearly state the reasons and the supplementary or revised data, documents, and relevant information required to complete the file.

3. Within thirty working days from the date of receipt of a valid application file, the issuing authority must issue or amend and supplement the Electricity Business License; if refused, it must notify in writing and state the reasons.

4. If the competent authority issuing the license requires the electricity enterprise to amend or supplement the license, the enterprise must respond in writing within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the authority's request.

Article 26. Issuance of the Electricity Business License for Organizations and Individuals Currently Engaged in Electricity Activities

1. Organizations and individuals who meet the conditions stipulated in Article 32 of the Electricity Law and this Decree and already have an Electricity Business License may continue to operate under the existing license.

2. Organizations and individuals who meet the conditions stipulated in Article 32 of the Electricity Law and this Decree but do not yet have an Electricity Business License must apply for issuance of the Electricity Business License in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

3. Organizations and individuals currently operating in the power sector that have not met the conditions stipulated in Article 32 of the Electricity Law and the provisions of this Decree shall continue to operate for a period of two years. After this period, if they still fail to meet the conditions for obtaining an electricity operation permit, they must cease their electricity operations.

Article 27. Revocation of Electricity Operation Permit

1. When revoking an electricity operation permit, the competent authority must clearly determine the duration for which the power unit may continue to operate to avoid affecting the supply of electricity to customers.

2. Within thirty days from the date of revocation of the permit, the power unit has the right to lodge a complaint with the competent state agency regarding the revocation of the permit.

3. The Ministry of Industry shall provide detailed guidance on the conditions, procedures, and formalities for issuing, amending, supplementing, and revoking electricity operation permits for specific areas of activity.

Article 28. Right to Enter the Management Area of the Electricity Purchaser

Persons assigned by the power unit to enter the management area of the electricity purchaser to perform tasks such as inspection, meter reading, and customer contact as provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 41, point d, Clause 1, Article 43, and point đ, Clause 1, Article 44 of the Electricity Law must be issued a business card and must present it to the electricity purchaser.

Article 29. General Provisions on Safety for Electrical Equipment and Power Engineering Works

1. The design, manufacture of equipment, and construction of electrical works must comply with industry regulations, Vietnamese standards, or internationally recognized standards approved by the competent authorities of Vietnam, and must ensure the following safety requirements:

a) Electrical safety;

b) Construction safety;

c) Safety in the use of primary energy sources (water, coal, oil, natural gas, and other forms of energy);

d) Fire and explosion prevention safety;

đ) Ecological environmental safety and labor hygiene.

2. New electrical equipment and appliances produced or imported must have a quality certificate or a registered quality label in accordance with relevant standards and legal regulations, and must come with an instruction manual detailing technical specifications, features, functions, and other precautions to guide consumers in preventing electrical accidents.

3. Electrical works may only be put into use after being tested, calibrated, and accepted as meeting the quality and safety standards.

Article 30. Safety in Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

1. When investing in the construction of power plants, substations, and transmission lines, the project owner must have all technical design documents, construction design documents, approved general and detailed budgets, completion documents, and other technical documents as required by the law on construction to hand over to the operation management unit.

2. Before putting power plants, substations, and transmission lines into operation, the project owners of power plants, substations, and transmission lines must conduct testing and calibration of each part and the entire system of equipment in the power generation and load distribution technology chain to ensure compliance with technical standards and design parameters. Test and calibration records must be included in the partial and overall acceptance reports.

3. In cases where overhead transmission lines pass through densely populated areas with permanent residents and workers, the operation management unit must not allow the lines to carry loads exceeding the prescribed standards and limits.

Article 31. Responsibility for Ensuring Safety of Organizations and Individuals Using Electricity for Production

1. To have complete documentation on electrical safety regulations and standards, compile, issue, guide, and implement safety procedures, rules, and internal regulations based on current national laws and regulations.

2. Maintain technical files related to electrical equipment. At operational positions, ensure full availability of equipment operation procedures, fault handling procedures, safety procedures for related specialties, grid diagrams, fire prevention and extinguishing rules, operation logs, personal protective equipment, electrical safety signs, and other necessary tools and equipment as prescribed.

3. Assign staff and use labor for work directly related to electricity, ensuring the following conditions:

a) Proper training according to job requirements;

b) Training and issuance of an electrical safety card.

4. Strictly adhere to state policies on labor protection. Ensure safe working conditions, tools, and personal protective equipment for employees when working with electricity.

5. Timely inspect and rectify any shortcomings in the implementation of safety procedures and regulations within the organization.

6. Properly implement maintenance, upkeep, and upgrading to ensure safe operation conditions for equipment.

7. Organize research and application of new technological advancements to improve production safety factors.

8. In case of electrical accidents, promptly apply necessary measures for rescue, minimize damage, and organize investigations to analyze causes, assess responsibilities, identify subjective reasons, develop preventive plans to stop recurrence of accidents.

9. Conduct statistical tracking and reporting on electrical accidents as prescribed.

10. Organize or participate in widespread publicity and dissemination of electrical safety information.

Article 32. Responsibilities for Managing Electrical Safety

1. The Ministry of Industry is responsible for:

a) Issuing, guiding, and implementing industry regulations and standards on electrical safety;

b) Coordinating state management activities on electrical safety among ministries, sectors, and localities;

c) Organizing quality inspections of electrical equipment, tools, and products according to safety standards;

d) Inspecting and supervising electrical safety for organizations and individuals involved in the power sector and electricity usage; identifying and handling violations according to the law.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for:

a) Managing scientific and technological research and application in electrical safety;

b) Coordinate with the Ministry of Construction to complete, issue, and manage the system of Vietnamese Standards on electrical safety.

3. The Ministry of Construction shall be responsible for:

a) Issuing standards and regulations on the installation of power networks in construction projects to ensure uniform application throughout the country;

b) Issuing standards and regulations for safe grounding systems in buildings.

4. Provincial People's Committees and municipal people's committees under the central government shall be responsible for:

a) Implementing state management over electrical safety within their jurisdictions according to the guidance and directives of the Ministry of Industry and relevant ministries;

b) Establishing targets for ensuring electrical safety to be included in local socio-economic development plans and budgets;

c) Organizing management and protection of the safety of water reservoirs serving hydropower plants under their jurisdictional management;

d) Announcing land use boundaries within the protected zones of power facilities;

đ) Detecting, preventing, and promptly addressing cases of encroachment, unauthorized use, and illegal use of water reservoirs of hydropower plants and protected zones of power facilities.

Article 33. Conditions for Connecting Power Facilities to the National Grid

1. Power facilities connecting to the national electricity system must meet technical conditions and standards and have agreements with grid operation units regarding the connection points.

2. The Ministry of Industry shall stipulate technical conditions and standards, and procedures for connecting power facilities to the national electricity system.

Article 34. Supporting Investment in Electricity Development in Rural Areas, Mountainous Regions, and Islands

The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry to guide the implementation of policies supporting investment in electricity development in rural areas, mountainous regions, and islands.

Article 35. Contents of State Management over Electric Power Activities and Electricity Usage

1. Developing and directing the implementation of the Strategy and Planning for Electric Power Development.

2. Issuing and organizing the implementation of legal normative documents on electric power activities and electricity usage.

3. Issuing electricity pricing policies and retail electricity price schedules.

4. Specifying economic and technical standards, and safety standards and norms applicable in electric power activities, electricity usage, and related electricity services.

5. Managing investment in electric power activities in accordance with the provisions of the law.

6. Organizing and managing scientific research and technology activities in the field of electric power. Organizing and directing the development of planning and training for scientific staff, managers, and technical workers in electric power.

7. Managing electricity usage efficiently and economically. Managing and utilizing energy resources reasonably for power generation, environmental protection, and policies related to electricity demand management.

8. Organizing information systems on electric power activities and electricity usage.

9. International cooperation in electric power activities.

10. Monitoring electricity supply and usage. Inspecting and proposing solutions related to the implementation of the electricity demand management program.

11. Inspecting and supervising compliance with laws on electric power activities and electricity usage; resolving disputes, complaints, and accusations, and handling violations of laws in electric power activities and electricity usage.

12. Promoting, disseminating, and educating the public about laws on electric power activities and electricity usage. Guiding customers to comply with legal provisions on electricity purchase and sale, electricity prices, electricity demand management, and economical electricity usage.

Article 36. Effectiveness

This Decree shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and shall replace Government Decrees No. 45/2001/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2001, on electric power activities and electricity usage, and No. 169/2003/NĐ-CP dated December 24, 2003, on electrical safety.

Article 37. Responsibility for Implementation

The Minister of Industry shall provide guidance for the implementation of this Decree.

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under central cities are responsible for implementing this Decree./.