Power cuts loom as water levels at reservoirs decrease sharply

Water levels in many reservoirs have declined sharply compared to previous years, leading to possible electricity shortages.

Hoa Binh Reservoir, the biggest in the north, was at its lowest level for two decades.

The current water level stands at 99m, much lower than the reservoir’s 117m capacity.

About 24.5 billion cubic metres of water flowed into the reservoir this year, 18.3 cubic metres less than the same period in previous years.

The National Hydro-meteorological Forecast Centre warned that the total amount of water flowing into the reservoir during the remaining quarter of this year would reach 9.4 billion cubic metres.

The reservoir’s water level is estimated to decrease by 22.5 billion cubic metres by the year’s end.

This year’s severe drought was to blame for the problem, said Hoa Binh hydroelectric plant director Nguyen Van Thanh.

There has been one small downpour this year. In the past, there were between five and eight, he said.

“Over the past 23 years of operation, this is the first time the plant hasn’t had to open the sluice gate,” Thanh said.

Other reservoirs also face the same problem, with many of their water levels reaching ‘death level’ where turbines cease to safely function.

Son La Reservoir water level stands at 162m, 13m lower than the death level.

The water levels of Dai Ninh Reservoir in central Quang Nam Province, Ham Thuan Reservoir in central Binh Thuan Province and Tri An Reservoir in southern Dong Nai Province stand at just 0.2 m, 0.1m and 0.13m higher than death level, respectively.

Meanwhile, the monsoon season was set to end, worsening the water shortage situation, said deputy director of the centre Nguyen Lan Chau.

“Rains are forecast in the next few months, however the expected 20-30mm of rainfall will not be enough to make up for the water shortages,” she said.

Low water levels may lead to electricity shortages.

CEO of the Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) Dao Van Hung said the company’s electricity supply would be 5-10 per cent lower than demand as a result of the droughts.

The Hoa Binh hydropower plant annually generated more than 10 billion kWh and this year intended to generate 8.5 billion kWh but the target might be decreased due to water shortages, he said.

The plant generated 42 million kWh per day in 2009, but the figure had dropped to 32 million kWh a day this year.

The plant’s director Thanh said electricity generation was limited due to water shortages while the Hoa Binh Reservoir had to start to reserve water for electricity generation during the approaching dry season.

The low water level at the Hoa Binh Reservoir would affect the construction of Turbine No 2 at the Son La hydropower plant, meaning that the power’s electricity generation would slow, according to EVN deputy director general Vu Duc Thin.

The water level needed to measure 113m to be able to transport the equipment, but the present level was 99m, he said.

All 17 key EVN reservoirs faced water shortages while hydroelectricity accounted for 6,500MW of the company’s total electricity generation capacity of 16,000-17,000MW, causing difficulties for electricity generation which would continue well into next year, CEO Hung said.

The company planned to propose the Ministry of Industry and Trade to map out plans to avoid rolling power cuts, he said.

“Cement and steel production plants, which consume large amounts of electricity, will be required to change their production plans to save electricity,” he said.

Other power sources such as thermo-electricity would be maximised to help make up for the electricity shortages, he added. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam electricity, Vietnam energy, Vietnam power shortage