Electricity body vows no power cuts in June

There will be no power cuts during the peak dry season next month, according to the Industry and Trade Ministry’s Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV).

According to ERAV statistics, in the first five months of this year, the total power produced and imported into Vietnam was more than 43 billion kWh, 10 per cent higher than that of the same period last year.

This was enough to basically meet the demand which was less than initially estimated. Heavy rainfall in the middle of this month also helped to fill reservoirs at hydro-power plants.

ERAV said that the early operation of the Son La hydro plant’s second turbine and effective energy saving measures had contributed to the stable supply.

These favourable conditions are likely to continue into next month, ERAV announced last weekend.

Heavier rainfall than expected is forecast for the north which should help ensure hydro power plants remain operational.

New hydro-electric plants are expected to add about 428 MW to the national grid, while thermal coal power plants in the north will be put back into operation after maintenance work. The country will also continue to import electricity from China .

Deputy Minister Hoang Quoc Vuong said that the ministry is overseeing operations to ensure Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) maintains a constant supply.

To meet power demands, coal, oil or natural gases will be mobilised if necessary, he said, adding the power supply in the first five months of this year had met the vast majority of the demands of daily life and production, after the ministry asked EVN to minimise power cuts across the country in April. – VIR

Tags: Vietnam electricity, Vietnam energy, Vietnam power shortage