Close public-private cooperation is needed to address the electricity supply issue.

The Energy and Electricity Working Group believes that close dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors are essential to effectively address the current electricity supply issue.

The Energy and Electricity Working Group of the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) has submitted recommendations to the Government and relevant agencies on solutions to effectively address the issue of electricity supply.

According to the Energy and Electricity Working Group, there is currently a supply gap of approximately 4.35 GW between electricity supply capacity and demand, particularly in the northern region. This year, increasingly severe weather conditions have made electricity supply more difficult during the dry season, placing a burden on industrial production and posing a major challenge for businesses.

The Energy and Electricity Working Group expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Government of Vietnam, particularly the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Electricity Regulatory Authority, and Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN), in ensuring a stable electricity supply for the people and supporting business production activities in recent months. Policies implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and EVN include programs promoting efficient electricity use and encouraging voluntary feedback from high-energy electricity consumers. These measures demonstrate a proactive approach to mitigating the impact of electricity shortages.

However, the Energy and Electricity Working Group believes that the power shortage has profoundly affected private sector businesses, especially industrial customers. "A stable and uninterrupted power supply is a necessary path for businesses, helping them maintain operations, ensure productivity, and contribute to the overall economic development of the country. Unfortunately, the current power shortage has caused significant disruptions to production activities, leading to inefficiencies in production and revenue losses, affecting the competitiveness of businesses," the Working Group stated.

In particular, the Working Group also emphasized the importance of transparent and timely information regarding scheduled power outages.

"We highly appreciate EVN's efforts in having specific plans and notifying customers in advance, except in cases of unforeseen incidents. We hope for further improvements in the effective notification of scheduled power outage plans. This will help private businesses plan their operations better, minimize disruptions, and help businesses optimize their resources efficiently," the Working Group assessed.

In the current context, the Working Group believes it is necessary to expedite the approval process for projects already included in the Power Development Plan VII (amended) so that these projects can be quickly implemented. The Working Group also recommends that relevant authorities support companies and industries in deploying self-consumption and off-grid renewable energy solutions, such as battery storage systems. This will give companies greater flexibility in meeting their energy needs while contributing to ensuring adequate electricity supply for the country.

In the current context, the Working Group believes that close dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors are necessary to effectively address the issue of electricity supply. Therefore, the Working Group encourages continued cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Electricity Group, and relevant private sector stakeholders to seek sustainable solutions and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, while also looking forward to the early issuance of policies for direct power purchase agreements and the development of off-grid solar power systems.