Therefore, the national electricity company has introduced a number of measures to reduce the use of electricity nationwide.

Severe shortage of electricity

At the beginning of June, Dang Hoang An, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), predicted that electricity supplies would be ensured after June 20 as the hydrographical situation improves. However, the weather in June was not as favourable as expected.

According to Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Hoa Binh hydro-electric power plant, the water level in Hoa Binh lake is now at 81m, only 1.5m above the operational level.

Mr Thanh says that with such low water levels, the power plant can only supply 12 percent of the country’ total electricity output. In the next few days, the plant’s operation depends a lot on the water level in Hoa Binh lake.

He underlines that when the water levels in the Da River network improves, China’s hydro-electric power plants will use it, so, it is not sure whether the water will reach Hoa Binh lake or not.

In addition to Hoa Binh lake, the water levels in Tuyen Quang and Thac Ba lakes are only tens of cm above the operational level.

According to EVN, hydro-electric power plants contribute 34.2 percent of the country’s total electricity output. They can generate 130 million kWh/day (if operating 20 hours/day) in the rainy season, and 65-68 million kWh (if operating 10-12 hours/day) in the dry season.

However, the current drought has reduced the electricity output of hydro-electric power plants to 40-45 million kWh/day, much lower than EVN’s estimate.

In this situation, the supply of electricity will depend on the thermal power plants in Quang Ninh, Son Dong and Cam Pha.

Increasing electricity supplies

Given this, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Vu Huy Hoang, has asked EVN to maximize the use of all available sources of electricity in the national grid within its technical capacity.

EVN will closely monitor the hydrological situation and operate its hydroelectric power plants in a flexible manner. It will also focus on putting thermal power plants Haiphong 1 and Quang Ninh 1 back into operation at the earliest possible time.

In addition, EVN will have its subsidiaries work with businesses that have standby diesel powered sources and persuade them to use these sources to ease the growing pressure on the electricity industry.

The Minister of Industry and Trade also told EVN to monitor the power supplied by power corporations.

Mr Hoang asked the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) to discuss with the contractor Talisman ways of speeding up the maintenance and repairs to the gas supply system PM3-CAA.

PVN is also tasked with joining EVN in preparing sufficient quantities of DO oil for plants Ca Mau 1 and 2.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (VINACOMIN) will direct its electricity generating companies to operate at their maximum levels. It is also required to take measures to start up the power plants Son Dong and Cam Pha.

EVN Deputy Director General Dau Duc Khoi said his firm also increased the volume of electricity purchased from China to meet domestic demands.

However, he said, the electricity sector needs more assistance from people and the business community and the economical use of electricity remains the best solution to the problem of power shortages.