Nghe An will save electricity to cope with the peak drought in the 2023 dry season.

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the conference. Attending the conference were comrades: Pham Van Hoa - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade; Bang Hong Hien - Director of Nghe An Electricity Company; representatives of leaders of a number of departments, agencies and the Steering Committee for Power Development of 21 districts, cities and towns. Photo: Thanh Cuong

According to Vietnam Electricity Group - EVN, due to the impact of El Nino phenomenon, heat, drought, and water shortage have seriously affected hydroelectric reservoirs. By May 11, 2023, 11/47 large hydroelectric reservoirs had reached or were near dead water level. Especially hydroelectric reservoirs in the Northern region, all 12/12 large hydroelectric reservoirs have very poor water flow to the reservoirs, the frequency of water flow to many reservoirs is the worst in the past 100 years.

Comrade Bang Hong Hien - Director of Nghe An Electricity Company spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In April and early May alone, water levels in reservoirs were only below 50% of the average for many years, and some reservoirs were only 20% of the average for many years, causing a serious water shortage for hydropower plants. Therefore, operating the power system during the peak hot months will be very difficult, especially the Northern power system facing the largest capacity shortage of about 1,600 MW to 4,900 MW.

It is expected that in 2023, due to the extremely hot weather, the water flow to hydroelectric reservoirs will decrease, so the risk of power shortages will continue to occur, which may lead to a lack of power sources. With a high load growth scenario (15%), the entire Northern power system will have to reduce 1000 - 2400 MW. Nghe An will have to reduce 53 - 124 MW of its total capacity during peak hours on hot days. The total electricity consumption in the hot days is expected to reach approximately 17,500,000 kWh in the province, while the allocated output will only meet about 90%.

Comrade Pham Van Hoa - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade spoke at the conference. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Besides, the situation of violating the safety corridor of the power grid in the province is still complicated, affecting the stable power supply process for daily life and production and business.

Up to now, there have been 37 violations of the high-voltage grid safety corridor in the province. The main violations include: People replanting trees in the grid corridor after being compensated and supported according to regulations; building houses and works violating the high-voltage grid safety corridor; dumping rocks and soil, gathering materials, leveling the ground to reduce the distance between the line and the ground compared to the original design, not ensuring safety in the state of maximum sag of the line; planting and exploiting trees in the line corridor violating the distance;...

Representative of Nghe An Power Transmission Company speaking at the conference. Photo: Thanh Cuong

At the conference, delegates listened to and gave opinions on a number of solutions to ensure safe and stable electricity supply to serve socio-economic development and ensure the safety of power grid corridors in the province.

Through the report of Nghe An Electricity Company and the discussion opinions of the delegates attending the conference, Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee suggested that members of the Provincial and District Power Development Steering Committees should step up communication about the difficult electricity supply situation in 2023 on mass media, so that organizations, agencies, businesses and people know, share difficulties and increase electricity saving practices.

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee delivered a concluding speech at the conference. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Strengthening the dissemination of solutions on electricity saving and voluntary non-commercial electricity load adjustment at administrative and public service units; public lighting; outdoor advertising board lighting systems of restaurants, hotels, commercial service establishments, office complexes, etc.

In addition, sectors and localities need to strengthen inspection, examination and timely handling of cases of failure to implement measures to save electricity; strictly handle customers who violate electricity usage; regularly check and monitor electricity usage to ensure savings.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also requested Nghe An Electricity Company to develop a plan for electricity operation and supply during the hot season and report to the relevant Departments, branches and sectors to receive support and direction from state management agencies as well as to raise awareness and responsibility of people and businesses in using electricity during the hot season.

Nghe An Electricity Company fixes technical problems on the power line. Photo: Thanh Cuong

At the same time, Nghe An Electricity sector needs to advise and coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade to develop and organize inspection, supervision, and apply sanctions against individuals, businesses, and organizations that do not comply with regulations on economical and efficient use of electricity.

Regarding the work of ensuring safety of high-voltage power grid corridors, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested that localities need to coordinate more closely with Nghe An Electricity and relevant parties, and resolutely handle violations of power grid safety corridors.

Thanh Cuong