Stabilizing electricity output and price in the second quarter of 2013

A representative of the Electricity Regulatory Authority said that they have not yet received any proposal from EVN to increase electricity prices.

Illustration photo

Responding to the press at the press conference of the first quarter of 2013 on the afternoon of April 1 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Dang Huy Cuong - Director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that in the first 3 months of 2013, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has basically met the electricity demand for production and consumption. Currently, EVN has also prepared full plans so that the electricity supply in April and the peak months of the dry season is not interrupted.

Asked about the upcoming electricity price adjustment, Mr. Cuong said that up to this point, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has not received any proposal from EVN to increase electricity prices, so in the immediate future, in April, there will be no plan to adjust electricity prices.

"The Ministry of Industry and Trade also directed the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) to ensure stable operation of power plants during the dry season months, and if necessary, mobilize high-priced electricity sources such as gas and oil," Mr. Dang Huy Cuong emphasized.

Previously, according to the report of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the situation of electricity production and supply, the total electricity output of the system in the first 3 months of 2013 increased by 10.42% compared to the same period last year. In March alone, the total electricity production of the industry was estimated at 10.236 billion kWh, an increase of about 12.18%; The accumulated output of the first quarter was estimated at 27.859 billion kWh, an increase of 8.1% compared to the same period in 2012. Of which, commercial electricity in the first quarter reached 25.866 billion kWh, an increase of 10.8% compared to the first quarter of last year.

According to Mr. Cuong, in the upcoming 3 months of the dry season, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has also directed EVN to update the situation of electricity usage, power sources, reservoir situation... it is estimated that in April - June, electricity output will increase by about 11% compared to the same period.

The representative of the Electricity Regulatory Authority also said that it is expected that this April, Nghi Son 1 Thermal Power Plant (Thanh Hoa) with a capacity of 600 MW and Ban Chat Hydropower Plant (Lai Chau) with a capacity of 220 MW will generate electricity, adding capacity to the national power system.

Regarding the issue of operating and regulating hydroelectric reservoirs in the Central region, the leader of the Electricity Regulatory Authority said that there will be plans to ensure harmony between power generation and irrigation for agricultural production. However, the highest goal is still to prioritize water for irrigation and daily life.

At the press conference, the leader of the General Department of Energy (Ministry of Industry and Trade) also provided information related to the BOT power projects - Nghi Son 2, Mong Duong and Hai Duong being implemented.

Accordingly, to implement the above BOT projects, investors will have to mobilize 2 billion USD to build and use imported coal sources./.

According to (vov.vn) - LT