Directive No. 424/CT-TTg on strengthening measures to ensure power supply during the dry season in 2010

DIRECTIVE

Strengthening measures to ensure power supply

 during the dry season in 2010

In recent years, the Government has focused on directing investment in developing power sources and grids to ensure sufficient power supply for economic and social development and national security and defense under conditions of international economic integration, meeting the electricity needs for daily life of the people; ensuring national energy security. In recent years, from 2,000 MW to nearly 3,000 MW of various types of power capacity have been put into operation each year, bringing Vietnam's total power capacity to over 18,400 MW. In 2009, the shortage of electricity in the dry months of some previous years was overcome, basically meeting the electricity needs for economic and social development of the country.

However, the severe drought that occurred from the second half of 2009 across the country has greatly affected water storage in hydroelectric reservoirs. Most hydroelectric reservoirs have not reached the normal water level as required, resulting in a total shortfall of nearly one billion kWh of hydroelectric power due to insufficient water in the reservoirs. According to forecasts, from now until the end of the dry season in 2010, natural disasters and weather conditions will continue to be complex, with prolonged drought and delayed rainy season, which will significantly affect the availability of water for agricultural production and sufficient electricity for social needs.

The economy is recovering and growing again, requiring a large demand for electricity. In the first three months of 2010, electricity demand increased by nearly 22%; it is forecasted that electricity demand may increase by up to 18% in 2010, making power supply even more difficult, potentially leading to a serious shortage of electricity during the dry season in 2010 if urgent and timely solutions are not implemented.

To ensure power supply for production and daily life of the people, the Prime Minister instructs:

1. Ministry of Industry and Trade:

a) Direct the Vietnam Electricity Corporation and related units to regularly assess the power supply situation: balancing power capacity and energy of the national power system and the three regions of North, Central, and South, taking into account the transmission capacity of inter-regional connecting lines; assessing consumption and reserve capacity ratio of the power system, weather and hydrological conditions in each region..., to propose optimal power supply solutions.

b) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, localities, and the Vietnam Electricity Corporation to develop specific plans to ensure reasonable load adjustment in case of power supply-demand imbalance.

c) Regularly inspect and urge state-owned enterprises and corporations that are investors in power projects to accelerate progress, ensure timely commissioning, and guarantee absolute safety and quality of the works.

d) Coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications, relevant sectors, and localities to implement publicity campaigns on electricity conservation during the 2010 dry season.

2. Vietnam Electricity Corporation:

a) Cooperate with units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to effectively utilize water resources for power generation and agricultural irrigation.

b) Closely cooperate with the National Hydro-Meteorological Center to update weather and water resource forecasts to proactively develop effective operational plans and conserve water usage for power generation.

c) Reasonably mobilize power capacity and energy from hydropower plants, independent power plants, customer reserve power sources, and increase power imports.

d) Urgently complete testing and trial runs to ensure reliable operation of power generating units:

- Thermal power units: Quang Ninh 1, Hai Phong 1.

- Hydropower units: Unit 2 of Pleikrong Hydropower Plant, Unit 3 of Se San 4 Hydropower Plant.

e) Urgently put into operation the units of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant at the beginning of the second quarter.

f) Continue to requisition coal-fired thermal power units during testing or acceptance periods.

g) Increase standby capacity, shorten repair times, and rearrange maintenance schedules of existing units to increase power generation during the dry season.

h) Regularly report on power supply situations to competent authorities.

3. Vietnam Oil and Gas Group:

a) Work with partners to ensure sufficient gas supply according to contracts for power generation, especially during the 2010 dry season.

b) Closely cooperate with the Vietnam Electricity Corporation in gas supply and consumption for power generation; ensure technical conditions so as not to take gas extraction platforms and power generation units out of service for maintenance and repairs during the 2010 dry season.

4. The People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities:

a) Actively implement electricity conservation measures as per Prime Minister's Directive No. 19/2005/CT-TTg dated June 2, 2005, and related documents issued by competent state agencies.

b) Issue directives on electricity conservation and organize inspections and supervision of implementation in their respective areas.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall take the lead in supervising, urging, and inspecting the implementation of this Directive, and promptly report to the Prime Minister./.