Power supply under the microscope
VOV.VN - The Prime Minister has requested a thorough inspection of power supply following news of periodical power cuts in many localities across the country that have thrown business production and people’s daily life into chaos.
The PM asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to set up an inspection team to review the current power supply and assist Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), the largest power company, to develop scenarios in the event of power shortages.
He also asked the ministry to work on power saving for 2023-2025, and ensure coal and gas supplies for electricity production.
All the reports will be submitted to the PM on June 15 at the latest.
Subsequent heat waves have fueled power demand for business production and people’s daily life. The average electricity consumption of the whole country reached nearly 820 million kWh a day in May, an increase of more than 20% compared to April. Peak load also hit a record high of 44,600 MW, representing an increase of 8.5% over the same period last year.
The return of the El Nino phenomenon has led to prolonged droughts in many localities. Almost all 12 large hydropower reservoirs throughout the northern region have experienced low water levels due to poor water flows.
The water levels of reservoirs of Son La, Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang, Hua Na, and Thac Ba hydro-electric power plants are on the cusp of reaching the dead level, and if the hydrological situation does not improve they will cease operation over the coming days.
The National Load Dispatch Centre (A0) said the operation of the national electricity system is currently ‘in critical condition’ when power demand at peak hours breaks all-time highs.
It warned that national power system in general and the northern power system in particular may not be able to meet the peak load in the dry season months this year and ahead in subsequent years. The northern region alone is anticipated to face a power shortage of 8,000MW in June, 3,000MW more than EVN’s forecast.
A0 has therefore proposed increasing the maximum reduction in national power supply from 8,000MW to 15,000MW, including 8,100MW in the northern region, meaning more power cuts are expected over the coming days.
Power cuts have over the past days dealt a heavy blow to business production. Many businesses have suffered a great loss amounting to billions of VND due to power cuts.
