The Prime Minister requested not to let there be power shortages in any situation.

On the morning of May 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting with ministries, branches, Vietnam Electricity Group and units and localities on plans to ensure adequate power supply and plans to implement the 8th Power Plan.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and leaders of ministries, branches and localities attended the meeting.At Nghe An province bridge, comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People's Committee chaired.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN 2024 IS BASICALLY GUARANTEED

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the electricity supply situation in the first 5 months of 2024, the actual cumulative electricity output in the first 5 months of 2024 is estimated at about 124.1 billion kWh, an increase of 12.1% over the same period.

At the end of April, the prolonged hot weather in all three regions caused the national electricity consumption to increase to a record high (the national maximum capacity reached 47,670 MW, an increase of 13.2%, the daily output reached 987.39 million kW hours, 6.87% higher than the same period in 2023).

In the context of unfavorable hydrological developments in the first months of the year, to maximize water savings in hydroelectric reservoirs, thermal power sources, especially coal-fired thermal power in the Northern region, have been highly mobilized to meet the increased demand for electricity.

Combining solutions to increase electricity transmission from the South and Central regions to support the North, the electricity supply for the entire system in the first months of 2024 has been well implemented, ensuring enough electricity for production and daily life of the whole country.

Regarding the electricity supply situation in the remaining months of 2024, regarding the balance of electricity output, with the orientation of economical use of water in hydroelectric reservoirs from the end of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the total amount of water currently available in hydroelectric reservoirs at the time of reporting converted to electricity output is about 11.3 billion kWh. This is the reserve source of electricity for the upcoming peak period.

Along with the proactive preparation of fuel supply for electricity production, especially coal fuel, which has been well implemented by units, the national power system will basically meet enough electricity for socio-economic development and people's needs for most of the time in 2024.

With the above solutions, the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirms that the electricity supply in 2024 is basically guaranteed. For the following years, after the 500kV line 3 Quang Trach - Pho Noi comes into operation, the Northern power system will be supplemented with increased capacity/electricity from the Central and Southern regions.

Regarding the plan to implement the 8th Power Plan, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested localities to urgently review the Provincial Plan to match the National Sector Plan; and urgently select investors to implement large power projects.

Absolutely no power shortage

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the country's production, business and economic recovery situation is progressing positively, along with the demand for raw materials, fuels, and materials, including electricity.

We forecast that the whole year's electricity output will increase by only 9%, but in the past few months it has increased by 13%, at times at the peak in the North it increased by 17% compared to the same period last year. That is an unfavorable forecast, lower than the actual situation. We need to learn from experience and do better in the future.

Drawing on experience from 2023, the Prime Minister requested that there should be no power shortage in 2024 and the following years; it is necessary to prepare plans, not to be passive or surprised. It is necessary to re-announce inaccurate information about electricity demand, and to re-inform about the ability to meet electricity demand so that businesses and people can feel secure.

In addition, it is necessary to coordinate power sources well, handle arising problems flexibly, promptly and effectively. Power sources must be diversified and prepare the capacity to buy and import electricity, but first of all, we must make the most of domestic capacity.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also requested to maximize the exploitation of domestic coal and minimize imports. Control well, fight against negativity, prevent and repel illegal coal imports and mining.

On the other hand, learning from the experience of 2023, in 2024, it is necessary to coordinate water resources more reasonably, avoid wasting water, and maximize the advantages of hydropower. Issue mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of gas-fired electricity and self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power.

Regarding power transmission, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the development of a policy on direct electricity purchase and sale; self-production and self-consumption; completion of 500kV and 200kV power transmission lines; encouraging private investment in power transmission with the viewpoint: Harmonious benefits, shared risks. Appropriate and effective distribution; increased use of electricity economically, in which the important solution is propaganda work. Encourage the mobilization of social resources, electricity prices must be reasonable with people's ability to pay, in line with our country's economy.