The Director of the Nghe An Department of Industry and Trade clarifies the inadequacies regarding electricity prices.

Continuing the questioning session this afternoon, the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, Hoang Van Tam, and the Director of Nghe An Power Company, Banh Hong Hien, took the podium to explain "hot" issues related to electricity management in the province.

Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, Hoang Van Tam, reports and explains the issues raised in the Provincial People's Council's questioning. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

Shortcomings in the reimbursement process for rural power grids.

During questioning of the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, delegate Dinh Thi An Phong (Nghi Loc) raised a question at the provincial People's Council meetings, especially the meeting on July 19, 2018. She stated that the Department of Industry and Trade and the Electricity Company had responded that they would work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Northern Power Corporation to find solutions to overcome difficulties in implementing Circular 32 to reimburse people for the cost of low-voltage rural electricity grids. Therefore, she questioned: "To what extent have the Department and the Nghe An Electricity sector implemented this, and what are the results?"

Representative Dinh Thi An Phong questioned the inadequacies in the reimbursement process for rural electricity grids. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

According to delegate An Phong, in Nghi Loc district, the Electricity sector is responsible for managing 23 units, but 20 of them do not require reimbursement. Three units in Nghi Lam, Nghi Kieu, and Nghi Kieu communes are required to reimburse, but since the handover, none of the three communes have received reimbursement.

Regarding this issue, delegate Phan Thị Thanh Thủy (Thai Hoa town) reported on the delay in handing over the power grid to Dong Hieu Farm. She stated that many power pole locations are currently not up to standard.

Clarifying the concerns of the delegates, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade Hoang Van Tam said that before the July 2018 session, the Department of Industry and Trade coordinated with relevant departments and agencies to advise the Provincial People's Committee to report and send a proposal to the National Assembly delegation of the province. The National Assembly assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance to study and respond to the regulations in Circular 32.

These two ministries have responded and sent documents to the Department of Industry and Trade regarding the Law on Property and the Law on Budget, therefore the amendments have not been implemented yet as they are being carried out according to the current laws. The Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the Office of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation have sent responses to the localities.

Representative Lo Thi Kim Ngan (Que Phong constituency) questioned when villages and hamlets without electricity would be connected to the national power grid. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Clarifying the delegates' opinions, Mr. Banh Hong Hien, Director of Nghe An Power Company, stated that from July 2018 to the present, the Power Company and the province have made many efforts to restore the power grid.

As a result, 60 communes have been reimbursed, including 17 communes that received cash reimbursement in 2019, while 43 communes are awaiting approval to receive funds in 2020. This is the achievement of the Nghe An Power Company and the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee actively working with the asset-owning entity, the Northern Power Corporation.

Director of Nghe An Power Company, Banh Hong Hien, further clarifies the issues raised by provincial People's Council representatives during questioning. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

The Director of Nghe An Power Company stated that currently, 28 communes still have submitted applications. We hope that local authorities at all levels will coordinate and direct the units that have not yet submitted applications, so that the company can fulfill its responsibilities and strive to complete the process for these 28 communes before May 2021.

Addressing shortcomings in electricity pricing.

Representative Lo Thi Kim Ngan (Que Phong) asked: "When will people in villages without electricity be able to use the national power grid?"

Some provincial People's Council representatives also raised concerns about electricity prices. How is this being implemented in Nghe An, and has the Department supervised the collection of electricity fees from guesthouses?

Representative Nguyen Tu Phuong questioned the electricity prices for student and worker dormitories. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

Clarifying the delegates' concerns, the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade affirmed: Regarding the inspection and handling of violations of electricity laws, following the questioning in 2019, the Department of Industry and Trade advised the Provincial People's Committee to establish inter-agency inspection teams led by the Department of Industry and Trade and requested the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns to establish inspection teams to handle violations.

Upon inspection, it was found that current apartment complex management units are applying regulations in the Real Estate Law that allow them to collect additional fees. This is a shortcoming in the pricing of electricity.

Regarding the pricing of electricity in boarding houses, Mr. Tam said that after the issuance of Circular 25 and Directive 17 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Department of Industry and Trade advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue a document guiding boarding house owners to implement preferential electricity pricing for students and workers residing in their boarding houses in accordance with regulations.

In 2019, the Department's inspection team inspected several boarding houses. Currently, they are guiding these boarding houses to fully understand these regulations in order to sell electricity to their tenants.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Hoang Viet Duong concludes the questioning session on state management of electricity. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

Responding to the question of when villages and hamlets without electricity will be connected to the national power grid, Mr. Banh Hong Hien stated that this is a major issue. In 2013, the Prime Minister's Decision 2081 on building power stations for villages, hamlets, and islands concluded in 2020.

In theory, that's the policy, but since taking over the project under Decision 2081 in 2014, we have only provided electricity to 16 commune centers and 43 villages. Currently, the company is deploying electricity to 40 villages in the Ban Ve reservoir area of ​​Tuong Duong, Quy Chau, and Ky Son districts, while the remaining 150 villages under Program 2081 will be transferred to the 2020-2025 phase.

In addition, the questions raised by the provincial People's Council delegates were received, explained, and clarified by the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade and the Director of Nghe An Power Company.

Thanh Chuong Power Company increased the capacity of Thanh Ha Intermediate Substation from 1,800kVA to 2,500kVA to prevent overload during the Summer of 2020. Photo: pcnghean

Concluding the questioning session, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Hoang Viet Duong affirmed that the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade and the Director of Nghe An Power Company had answered the questions frankly and effectively.

In the coming period, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council requested the Provincial People's Committee to work with the Northern Power Corporation and the Nghe An Power Department to expedite the approval of dossiers and promptly reimburse capital to the power grid investor; and at the same time, address any obstacles and shortcomings in the reimbursement process due to capital increases and decreases.