CIRCULAR

Regulations on black start and restoration of the national power system

Pursuant to Decree No. 9/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Statistics Law;8/2017/NĐ-CP dated January 18 the 8 Article 2. The receipt, handling of reflections and petitions from individuals and organizations concerning administrative regulations shall be carried out in accordance with Decree No. 20/2008/NĐ-CP dated February 14, 2008 of the Government on the receipt, handling of reflections and petitions from individuals and organizations concerning administrative regulations (amended and supplemented by Decree No. 48/2013/NĐ-CP dated May 14, 2013 on amending and supplementing certain articles of decrees related to administrative procedure control and Decree No. 92/2017/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2017 on amending and supplementing certain articles of decrees related to administrative procedure control).7 /NĐ-CP dated March

Pursuant to the Electricity Law dated December 3, 2004 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Electricity Law dated November 20, 2012; 

Based on Decree No. 137/2013/NĐ-CP dated October 21, 2013, issued by the Government, detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Electricity Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Electricity Law;

At the proposal of the Director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority,

4. Supplement Clause 7 following Clause 6 Article 2 as follows: qThese regulations stipulate black start and restoration of the national power system.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates principles and responsibilities of individuals and units implementing black start to handle grid disintegration incidents with the aim of restoring normal operation mode of the national power system.

Article 2. Scope of Application

This Circular applies to the following subjects:

1. National Power System Dispatching Units.
2. Power generation units.
3. Power transmission units.
4. Power distribution units.
5. Power distribution and retail units.
6. Power telecommunication service provision units.
7. Operation staff of the units.
8. Vietnam Electricity Corporation.
9. Other organizations and individuals related.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms shall be understood as follows: 

1. Dispatching level with control authority means the dispatching level having command and dispatching authority over the power system according to the dispatching hierarchy..
2. National dispatching level is the highest command and dispatching level in national power system dispatching work. The National Power System Dispatching Center assumes the National Dispatching Level.
3. Regional dispatching level is the command and dispatching level for regional power systems, directly commanded by the National Dispatching Level. The Regional Dispatching Level is assumed by the Northern Regional Power System Dispatching Center, Southern Regional Power System Dispatching Center, and Central Regional Power System Dispatching Center.
4. Provincial distribution dispatching level is the command and dispatching level for provincial power distribution systems within provinces and centrally-administered municipalities, directly commanded by the corresponding Regional Dispatching Level regarding dispatching. The Provincial Distribution Dispatching Level is assumed by the dispatching units under the Hanoi Electricity Corporation, Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation, and provincial electricity corporations under the Electricity Corporation.
5. District and county distribution dispatching level is the command dispatching level for district and county power distribution systems within provinces and centrally-administered municipalities, directly commanded by the Provincial Distribution Dispatching Level regarding dispatching, established based on organizational structure, scale, and degree of automation of the provincial power distribution network.
6. Normal operating mode is the operating mode where operational parameters are within permissible limits according to the Transmission System Regulation and Distribution System Regulation issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
7. Power system dispatching is the activity of commanding and controlling the power generation, transmission, and distribution processes in the national power system according to procedures, technical standards, and operational modes that have been determined.
8. Dispatcher is the person directly commanding and dispatching the power system under their control, including:
   1. National dispatcher;
   2. Regional dispatcher;
   3. Provincial distribution dispatcher (hereinafter referred to as Provincial Distribution Dispatcher);
   4. District and county distribution dispatcher.
9. National dispatcher is the person directly commanding the national power system dispatching according to the dispatching hierarchy specified in the National Power System Dispatching Procedure issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
10. Article on Regional Dispatch Officer is the person directly commanding and dispatching the national power system at the regional level according to the dispatch hierarchy as stipulated in the National Power System Dispatch Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
11. Distribution Dispatch Officer at Provincial Level is the person directly commanding and dispatching the distribution power system according to the dispatch hierarchy as stipulated in the National Power System Dispatch Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
12. District or County Distribution Dispatch Officer is the person directly commanding and dispatching the distribution power system according to the dispatch hierarchy as stipulated in the National Power System Dispatch Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
13. Telecommunication Service Power Supply Unit is the unit granted a business license for telecommunication services providing communication channel services to power units for dispatch and operation of the power system.
14. National Power System Dispatch Unit is the unit commanding and controlling the process of power generation, transmission, and distribution within the national power system, including the following dispatch levels:
    1. National dispatch level;
    2. Regional dispatch level.
15. Power Generation Unit is a power unit owning one or more power plants connected to the national power system, licensed to operate in the power generation sector.
16. is an electricity unit licensed to operate in the field of distribution and sale of electricity, including: is a power unit licensed to operate in the distribution and sale of electricity sector, including:

a) State Corporation of Electricity;

b) Provincial Electricity Company under the State Corporation of Electricity (hereinafter referred to as Provincial Electricity Company).

17. Distribution and Retail Companies is a power unit licensed to operate in the distribution and retail electricity sectors, purchasing wholesale electricity from Wholesale Electricity Suppliers or Distribution Electricity Units to sell retail electricity to electricity consumers.
18. Transmission electricity unit is a power unit licensed to operate in the electricity transmission sector, responsible for managing and operating the national transmission grid..
19. Power System is a system of power generation equipment, power grids, and auxiliary equipment interconnected with each other.
20. Regional Power System is the power system up to 220 kV voltage level and divided into Northern, Central, and Southern regions.
21. Distribution Power System is the power system consisting of distribution grids and power plants connected to the distribution grid supplying electricity to electricity consumers.
22. National Power System is the power system commanded uniformly throughout the country.
23. Transmission Power System is the power system consisting of transmission grids and power plants connected to the transmission grid.
24. Black Start Capability is the ability of a power plant to start at least one generator set from a complete shutdown state and synchronize it with the grid without receiving power from the surrounding grid.
25. Power System Restoration is a series of operations carried out in a specific sequence to bring the power system's equipment back into operation after a grid collapse incident.
26. Black Start is the process of restoring the entire (or part) of the power system from a total (or partial) blackout using black start capable generator sets.
27. Black Start Power Plant is a power plant with black start capability selected to participate in the black start process and restore the national power system.
28. Power Plant Isolated for Self-use is a power plant equipped with an automatic system to isolate some generator sets from the power system to supply power to the power plant's self-use system or local load.
29. Power Plant Isolated for Independent Operation is a power plant disconnected from the national power system but still generating power to supply the load of a certain area through a connection line between the power plant and the substation of that area.
30. Operations Staff is the person directly involved in controlling the process of power production, transmission, and distribution, working in shifts, including:

1. Dispatch officers at all dispatch levels;
2. Shift leaders, Crew leaders, Primary duty officers, Secondary duty officers at power plants or central control centers for power plant clusters;
3. Crew leaders, Primary duty officers, Secondary duty officers at substations or central control centers for substation groups;
4. Grid operation duty personnel.

31. Blackout is an incident where the connection between power plants and substations is lost, leading to partial or complete power outage in the regional or national power system.
32. Critical electrical equipment is equipment that uses electricity and whose loss of power can affect national security, cause severe environmental pollution, endanger human life, or result in significant economic losses.
33. UPS is a system ensuring continuous power supply to critical electrical equipment for a certain period when the power source is interrupted.

Chapter II

BLACK START PRINCIPLES

AND RESTORATION OF THE NATIONAL POWER SYSTEM

Article 4. Selection of black start power plants

Black start power plants in the national power system must meet the following criteria:

1. Directly connected to the power system with voltage levels of 220 kV or higher for primary black start power plants; 110 kV or higher for secondary black start power plants.
2. Equipped with automatic frequency regulation systems and capable of maintaining frequency within permissible limits according to the Transmission System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
3. Equipped with automatic voltage regulation systems and capable of maintaining voltage within permissible limits according to the Transmission System Regulations and Distribution System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
4. Have a black start time for generating units not exceeding 10 minutes for primary black start power plants, and not exceeding 20 minutes for secondary black start power plants.

Article 5. Determination of locations for black start power plants

1. At key locations in the national power system, there must be at least one power plant capable of performing a black start. The requirement for black start capability of power plants must be clearly stated in the Interconnection Agreement, Power Purchase Contract, or Black Start Service Supply Contract.
2. The National Power System Dispatch Unit is responsible for:

1. Identifying key locations in the national power system where power plants capable of performing a black start should be constructed;
2. Based on the approved national power development plan, proposing a list of power plants requiring black start capability at each stage;
3. Coordinating with Transmission Units, Distribution Units, Generation Units during interconnection agreement negotiations to determine specific black start requirements for each power plant.

3. The Ministry of Industry and Trade publishes a list of power plants providing black start services.

Article 6. Principles for handling blackout incidents and restoring the power system

Handling blackout incidents and restoring the power system must ensure the following principles:

1. Applying appropriate measures to restore the power system in the shortest possible time.
2. Controlling frequency and voltage within permissible limits during the restoration process, ensuring conditions for synchronization or loop closure according to the National Power System Operation Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, preventing another blackout or damage to electrical equipment during the restoration process.
3. Quickly restoring power supply to the self-use systems of power plants, substations that have lost power, and electricity customers. Restoration of power supply to electricity customers must be based on the priority order determined by the People's Committee of provinces or centrally governed cities.
4. During the handling of blackout incidents and restoration of the power system, operational staff must comply with the provisions of this Circular, technical standards, Vietnamese Standards, operating procedures, specialized regulations, other relevant laws, and safety standards for electrical equipment specified by the manufacturer.

Article 7. Principles for Implementing Black Start and System Restoration

1. The power generation units of the black start power plant shall be started up to supply electricity for its own use within the power system.
2. Restore the substation of the main black start power plant or the backup black start power plant. In cases where the power system does not have a black start power plant or an independent power plant disconnected from the grid, restore the substation through connecting lines from another power system.
3. Gradually energize the connecting lines between substations that have been energized with nearby power plants, restore substations, synchronize the power generation units of the power plant, and synchronize the independent power plants disconnected from the grid with the power system. During the process of restoring substations, the load of the substation will be restored according to the requirements for voltage regulation and frequency.
4. Energize the connecting lines and synchronize with another power system, restore the normal operation mode of the national power system.
5. Restore loads based on the capacity of the national power system and the priority order of important electricity customers under the preferential power supply list approved by the People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities to other electricity users.

Article 8. Investment Costs and Maintenance of the Black Start System

1. The costs for maintaining the black start system in readiness are reasonable and legitimate expenses of the power plant determined according to the following principles:

a) For large power plants with significant economic and social importance, national defense, and security: It is part of the total annual cost established by Vietnam Electricity Corporation, submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for review and approval during the competitive power generation market operation phase, and included in the price of electricity when the competitive wholesale electricity market officially operates;

b) For power plants providing rapid black start reserve services or operational reserve due to system security: Calculated within the annual auxiliary service price of the power plant;

c) For power plants with existing power purchase contracts: The power generation unit calculates the annual cost for maintaining and servicing the black start equipment system, and agrees to sign a black start service provision contract with Vietnam Electricity Corporation.

2. For power plants requiring investment in a black start system initiated after this Circular takes effect, in addition to signing power purchase contracts as stipulated, the power generation unit is responsible for agreeing to sign a black start service provision contract with Vietnam Electricity Corporation to provide black start services, ensuring depreciation costs, maintenance, and readiness costs for the black start equipment system.

Chapter III

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPATING UNITS IN BLACK START

AND RESTORATION OF THE NATIONAL POWER SYSTEM

Article 9. Responsibilities of Vietnam Electricity Corporation

1. Approve the Black Start Plan and National Power System Restoration Plan prepared or updated by the National Dispatch Center.
2. Report to the Electricity Regulatory Authority about the updated Black Start Plan and National Power System Restoration Plan annually when submitting the National Power System Operation Plan for the next year for approval or upon updates and modifications.
3. Submit to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for publication the list of power plants providing black start services.
4. Agree and sign contracts for black start service provision with power generation units having power purchase contracts or auxiliary service contracts among the list of power plants providing black start services.
5. Include in the annual pricing plan the costs for maintaining the black start system in readiness to pay to power plants providing black start services.

Article 10. Responsibilities of the National Dispatching Level

1. Command black start and system recovery for the national power grid with 500 kV voltage levels.
2. Annually, develop the Black Start and System Recovery Plan for the national power grid with voltage levels of 220 kV and above, and update or modify such plans when significant changes occur in power sources and transmission networks that substantially alter these plans, to be submitted to Vietnam Electricity Corporation for approval.
3. Establish and supplement a list of power plants providing black start services consistent with the Black Start and System Recovery Plan for the national power grid; remove power plants unable to maintain black start capability and no longer necessary in the Black Start and System Recovery Plan for the national power grid, and report to Vietnam Electricity Corporation.
4. Prepare and notify incidents of grid collapse in the national power grid according to the National Power Grid Incident Handling Procedure and Transmission System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
5. Organize training and professional development for black start and system recovery operations, organize black start and system recovery drills for national dispatchers at least once every year.
6. Participate in inspecting and evaluating black start and system recovery drills for the regional power grid for:
   1. Regional dispatcher;
   2. Shift leaders of power plants and power plant clusters under their control.
   3. Shift leaders or main duty officers of 500 kV substations located at substations or Regional Substation Control Centers.
7. Chair meetings to convene relevant units to analyze and identify causes of national power grid and regional power grid collapse incidents, and propose preventive measures.
8. Calculate and adjust protective relays and automatic devices against national power grid and regional power grid collapse incidents. Calculate and adjust protective relays and automatic devices for black start, islanding for self-use, and independent generation islanding of power plants under their control.

Article 11. Responsibilities of the Regional Dispatching Level

1. Command frequency and voltage regulation for the regional power grid (or part thereof) when the regional power grid (or part thereof) is isolated from the national power grid.
2. Command black start and system recovery for the regional power grid under their control.
3. Participate in developing the Black Start and System Recovery Plan for the national power grid with 220 kV voltage levels under their control.
4. Develop the Black Start and System Recovery Plan for the regional power grid with 110 kV voltage levels and submit it to the National Dispatching Level for approval.
5. Prepare and notify incidents of grid collapse within the regional power grid according to the National Power Grid Incident Handling Procedure and Transmission System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
6. Organize training and professional development for black start and system recovery operations for the regional power grid, organize black start and system recovery drills for the regional power grid with voltage levels of 110 kV and above under their control for regional dispatchers at least once every year.
7. Participate in inspecting and evaluating black start and system recovery drills for:
   1. Provincial distribution dispatchers within the region;
   2. Shift leaders of power plants and power plant clusters under their control.
   3. Shift leaders or main duty officers of substations under their control located at substations or substation control centers.
8. Chair meetings to convene relevant units to analyze and identify causes of regional power grid collapse incidents within the region and propose preventive measures.
9. Participate in calculating and adjusting protective relays and automatic devices against regional power grid collapse incidents. Calculate and adjust protective relays and automatic devices for black start, islanding for self-use, and independent generation islanding of power plants under their control.

Article 12. Responsibilities of the Provincial Dispatching Authority

1. Implement the command and dispatch of the Regional Dispatching Authority in restoring the load capacity in the distribution system.
2. Command the restoration of the distribution system under its control.
3. Participate in developing the black start plan and restoring the regional power system with voltages of 220 kV and 110 kV.
4. Develop the plan to restore the distribution system under its control based on the national power system's ability to meet load recovery requirements and the priority order of important electricity customers approved by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city, from other electricity users.
5. Prepare and report on grid disintegration incidents in the distribution system according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures and Distribution System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
6. Organize training and instruction for power system restoration operations under its control, organize drills for restoring the distribution system under its control for provincial dispatchers at least once every year.
7. Participate in inspecting and rehearsing the restoration of the distribution system for:
   1. District and county dispatchers within the province;
   2. Shift leaders of power plants and power plant clusters under their control.
   3. Shift leaders or main duty officers of substations under their control located at substations or substation control centers.
8. Chair meetings to convene relevant units to analyze and find causes of grid disintegration incidents in the distribution system and propose preventive measures.
9. Participate in calculating and setting relay protection and automatic fault isolation devices for the distribution system.

Article 13. Responsibilities of the District and County Dispatching Authority

1. Implement the command and dispatch of the Provincial Dispatching Authority in restoring the load capacity in the distribution system.
2. Command the restoration of the distribution system under its control.
3. Participate in developing the plan to restore the distribution system with voltages of 110 kV and medium voltage related systems.
4. Develop the plan to restore the distribution system under its control.
5. Prepare and report on grid disintegration incidents in the distribution system under its control according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures and Distribution System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
6. Organize training and instruction for power system restoration operations under its control, organize drills for restoring the distribution system under its control for district and county dispatchers at least once every year.

Article 14. Responsibilities of Power Generation Units with Black Start Capability

1. Ensure the method and equipment are ready for successful black start.
2. Promptly carry out equipment repair work at the power plant, quickly hand over the equipment for operation as soon as possible after the incident.
3. Issue the black start procedure of the power plant after it has been approved by the National Dispatching Authority.
4. Follow the power plant's black start procedure when a grid disintegration incident occurs, ensuring readiness to energize the connection line between the power plant and the national power system according to the command and dispatch of the controlling authority.
5. Participate in developing the black start plan and restoring the national power system or regional power system.
6. Regularly inspect and maintain the single-phase self-use system according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring that the single-phase self-use system does not fail when the alternating current self-use system loses power.
7. Regularly inspect, maintain, and test the diesel backup power supply according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring it operates well to provide power to the alternating current self-use system when the generator set is not in condition for black start.
8. Operate and test the startup of generator sets and major electrical equipment, related systems, and auxiliary equipment to check the black start capability of the power plant at least once every three months.
9. Organize training and instruction for operating personnel to ensure they have the necessary qualifications to participate in black start operations according to their operational roles.
10. Organize full-scale black start drills for the power plant at least once a year, involving participation from controlling dispatching authorities, including arranging operating forces, materials and equipment, and conducting drills according to scenarios from command to black start operation procedures.

Article 15. Responsibilities of Power Generation Units with Power Plants Separating from the Grid for Self-use

1. Ensure operational methods and equipment are ready to successfully separate from the grid for self-use.
2. Promptly carry out repair work on power plant equipment, quickly handing over the equipment for operation as soon as possible after the incident.
3. Issue the process for separating from the grid for self-use of the power plant after obtaining approval from the highest control authority for the power plant.
4. Follow the process for separating from the grid for self-use of the power plant when a grid collapse occurs, ensuring readiness to energize the connection lines between the power plant and the national electricity system according to the command and dispatch of the highest control authority.
5. Participate in developing the black start plan and restoring the national power system or regional power system.
6. Regularly inspect and maintain the single-phase self-use system according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring that the single-phase self-use system does not fail when the alternating current self-use system loses power.
7. Regularly inspect, maintain, and test the standby diesel power source (if equipped) according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring its good operation to supply power to the self-use AC system in case of unsuccessful separation from the grid for self-use.
8. Operate and test the power generation units and main electrical equipment, related systems, and auxiliary equipment to check the ability to separate from the grid for self-use of the power plant at least once every three months.
9. Organize training and instruction for operating staff to ensure they have the necessary qualifications to operate the equipment for separating from the grid for self-use according to their job titles. Organize full-scale drills for separating from the grid for self-use of the entire power plant at least once a year, including staffing, materials, and equipment, and drills according to scenarios from command to operational separation of the entire power plant.

Article 16. Responsibilities of Other Power Generation Units

Power Generation Units with power plants that do not perform black start duties or are not equipped with automatic systems for separating from the grid for self-use must perform the following tasks:

1. Ensure the operational method of the control authority with dispatching rights.
2. Promptly carry out repair work on power plant equipment, quickly handing over the equipment for operation as soon as possible after the incident.
3. Issue the process for handling total power outage incidents at the power plant.
4. Participate in developing the black start plan and restoring the national power system or regional power system.
5. Regularly inspect and maintain the single-phase self-use system according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring that the single-phase self-use system does not fail when the alternating current self-use system loses power.
6. Regularly inspect, maintain, and test the standby diesel power source (if equipped) according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring its good operation to supply power to critical electrical equipment in case of grid collapse.
7. Organize training and instruction for operating staff to ensure they have the necessary qualifications to handle total power outage incidents at the power plant. Organize full-scale drills for handling total power outage incidents at the power plant for operating staff at least once a year.

Article 17. Responsibilities of Power Transmission Units

1. Ensure the quality of transmission services.
2. Promptly carry out repair work on power lines and substations, quickly handing over the equipment for operation as soon as possible after the incident.
3. Regularly inspect, maintain the unidirectional self-use system at substations according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring the unidirectional self-use system does not fail when the AC self-use system loses power.
4. Regularly inspect, maintain, and test the standby diesel power source (if equipped) according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring its good operation to supply power to critical electrical equipment in case of grid collapse.
5. Organize training and instruction for operating staff to ensure they have the necessary qualifications to handle total power outage incidents at substations according to their job titles. Organize full-scale drills for handling total power outage incidents at substations for operating staff at least once a year.

Article 18. Responsibilities of Power Distribution Units and Retail Electricity Units

1. Promptly carry out repair work on power lines and substations, quickly handing over the equipment for operation as soon as possible after the incident.
2. Regularly inspect, maintain the unidirectional self-use system at 110 kV substations according to the procedures issued by the unit, ensuring the unidirectional self-use system does not fail when the AC self-use system loses power.
3. Provide a list of important electricity users under priority power supply approved by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city to the provincial distribution control authority.
4. Notify important electricity users about power cuts or reductions in power supply according to the Conditions and Procedures for Power Cuts and Reductions in Power Supply Levels issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
5. Participate in inspecting the power source switching system from the national grid to the customer's backup power source when requested by the competent authority.
6. Operate the distribution system during grid collapse incidents and restore the distribution system according to the National Grid Incident Handling Process and Distribution System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
7. Organize training and instruction for operating staff to ensure they have the necessary qualifications to handle total power outage incidents at substations according to their job titles. Organize full-scale drills for handling total power outage incidents at substations for operating staff at least once a year.

Article 19. Responsibilities of Telecommunication Service Supply Units

1. Ensure smooth, stable, safe, and reliable operation of communication channels serving power system dispatching and operation.
2. Promptly address faults and abnormalities related to communication channels serving power system dispatching and operation under their management. Timely notify relevant units about incidents affecting or interrupting information during power system dispatching and operation.
3. Regularly inspect, maintain, and test diesel generator backup power sources and UPSs according to procedures issued by the unit, ensuring these devices operate properly.
4. Organize training for unit's operating staff to ensure they have sufficient capability to handle situations involving faults and abnormalities related to communication channels serving power system dispatching when national grid power is lost.

Article 20. Responsibilities of Units with Important Electrical Equipment

1. Equip systems to switch power supply from the national grid to alternative backup power sources in accordance with legal regulations, ensuring important electrical equipment continues to function normally or does not suffer damage in case of national grid power loss.
2. Regularly inspect, maintain, and test diesel generator backup power sources (if available) or UPSs according to procedures issued by the unit, ensuring these devices operate properly.
3. Organize training for unit's operating staff to ensure they have sufficient capability to handle situations involving national grid power loss.

Chapter IV

DUTIES OF OPERATING STAFF

Article 21. Duties of Shift Leaders at Black Start Power Plants and Control Centers Managing Clusters with Black Start Power Plants

1. Command the startup of generating units to provide power for the plant's self-use system.
2. Handle total power plant blackout incidents according to the unit's Black Start Procedures and the National Electricity System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
3. Prepare all necessary conditions to energize the connection lines between the power plant and the electricity system upon command from the authorized dispatch level.

Article 22. Duties of Shift Leaders at Islanded Self-Supply Power Plants and Control Centers Managing Clusters with Islanded Self-Supply Power Plants

1. Command control of power generation units' capacity and voltage to supply power for the plant's self-use system and local loads (if any).
2. Handle incidents according to the unit's Islanded Self-Supply Procedures and the National Electricity System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
3. Prepare all necessary conditions to reconnect the power plant to the electricity system upon command from the authorized dispatch level.

Article 23. Duties of Shift Leaders at Independent Islanded Power Plants and Control Centers Managing Clusters with Independent Islanded Power Plants

1. Handle incidents according to the National Electricity System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and independent islanding procedures (if any); proactively adjust frequency and voltage within permissible limits according to Transmission System Regulations and Distribution System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
2. Report frequency and voltage fluctuations to higher-level system dispatch for coordinated handling. Prepare all necessary conditions to reconnect the power plant to the electricity system upon command from the authorized dispatch level.

Article 24. Duties of operators at power plants, control centers for groups of power plants, substations, and control centers for groups of substations

Operators at power plants (excluding black start power plants, power plants isolated from the grid for self-use, and independent power plants isolated from the grid), control centers for groups of power plants, substations, and control centers for groups of substations shall be responsible for performing the following tasks:

1. Handling total power outage incidents at power plants and substations according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the unit's own incident handling procedures.
2. Starting up the diesel generator backup power source (if equipped) and switching the self-use system to receive power from the diesel generator backup source to supply electricity to critical electrical equipment according to the procedures issued by the unit.
3. Preparing all necessary conditions to bring power plant and substation equipment into operation upon orders from higher-level operators.

Article 25. Duties of the National Dispatcher

1. Commanding frequency and voltage control at independent power plants isolated from the grid connected to the 500 kV voltage level; commanding black start and restoration of the 500 kV power system.
2. Commanding handling of total power outage incidents at power plants and substations under their control according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
3. Commanding black start and restoration of power systems under their control according to approved plans.
4. Cooperating with regional dispatchers to restore regional power systems or restore power systems under their control from the national power system.
5. Coordinating with relevant regional dispatchers in restoring interconnections between regional power systems through 220 kV transmission lines.
6. Preparing and reporting on incidents according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures and the Transmission System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Article 26. Duties of Regional Dispatchers

1. Commanding frequency and voltage control at independent power plants isolated from the grid connected to the 220 kV and 110 kV voltage levels; commanding black start and restoration of regional power systems with 220 kV and 110 kV voltage levels under their control.
2. Commanding handling of total power outage incidents at power plants and substations under their control according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
3. Commanding black start and restoration of regional power systems under their control according to approved plans.
4. Cooperating with the National Dispatcher in restoring the national power system or restoring regional power systems from the national power system. Restoring the load capacity of the regional power system according to the requirements of the National Dispatcher.
5. Coordinating with the National Dispatcher and other regional dispatchers in restoring interconnections between regional power systems through 220 kV and 110 kV transmission lines.
6. Preparing and reporting on incidents according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures and the Transmission System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Article 27. Duties of Provincial Distribution Dispatchers

1. Commanding frequency and voltage control at independent power plants isolated from the grid connected to the 35 kV voltage level; commanding restoration of distribution power systems under their control according to approved plans.
2. Commanding handling of total power outage incidents at power plants and substations under their control according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
3. Restoring the load capacity of the distribution power system according to the requirements of the Regional Dispatcher and in accordance with the approved priority sequence.
4. Coordinating with the Regional Dispatcher and other provincial distribution dispatchers in restoring interconnections between distribution power systems through transmission lines with voltage levels up to 35 kV.
5. Preparing and reporting on incidents according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures and the Distribution System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Article 28.Duties of Distribution Dispatchers at Districts and Counties

1. Command to restore the distribution power system under their control according to the approved Plan.
2. Commanding handling of total power outage incidents at power plants and substations under their control according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
3. Restore the load capacity of the distribution power system in accordance with the requirements of the Provincial Distribution Dispatcher and the approved priority order.
4. Coordinate with the Provincial Distribution Dispatcher and other District and County Distribution Dispatchers in restoring the interconnection between distribution power systems through transmission lines up to 35 kV.
5. Preparing and reporting on incidents according to the National Power System Incident Handling Procedures and the Distribution System Regulations issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 29.Implementation Organization

1. The Electricity Regulatory Authority shall be responsible for disseminating, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of this Circular; report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the list of power plants providing black start services.
2. Vietnam Electricity Corporation shall be responsible for directing its member units to implement this Circular.

Article 30.Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from December 12, 2017, replacing Decision No. 35/2007/QĐ-BCN dated August 2, 2007 of the Minister of Industry on black start and restoration of the national power system.
2. During the implementation of this Circular, if there are any difficulties, relevant units shall directly reflect them to the Electricity Regulatory Authority for consideration and resolution within their authority, or report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for resolution./.