Vietnam likely to face serious power shortage this month

Vietnam is forecast to incur a serious power shortfall this month due to the standstill of some coal-fired power plants, a ten-day gas supply suspension of the PM3-Ca Mau pipeline, and modest water levels of hydropower dams, said the state-run Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN).

EVN announced that newly-operated coal-fired power plants including the Cam Pha 1, Quang Ninh 1 and Haiphong 1 are at a standstill for repairs after breakdowns.

Meanwhile, the state-owned Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) will stop gas supply from the PM3-Ca Mau pipeline for periodical maintenance from Oct. 15-23, which will impact power generation of Ca Mau power plants with a combined capacity of 1,500 MW during the period, the group attributed.

The water levels at hydropower dams in the central highlands and southern regions have not yet been improved so much and some are close to the inoperable levels, which mean a low hydropower generation capacity during the month amid heavy dependence on hydroelectricity.

The group forecast that the national power system will likely not have standby capacity this month and the national power output may be averaged at 287.7 million kWh a day with a total power generation capacity of between 15,500 MW and 16,000 MW.

However, EVN pledged to ensure power supply for production and social essential demand, specifically the ongoing Thang Long-Hanoi millennium anniversary.

Earlier, the group committed to ensure sufficient power supply for the national economy in the fourth quarter of this year and forecast the national power demand at 25 billion kWh during the quarter. (Banking Times)

Tags: Vietnam electricity, Vietnam energy, Vietnam power shortage