National power provider guarantees sufficient supply during dry season

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National power provider Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has confirmed that it can meet electricity demand in all localities during this year’s dry season, with growth expected at 5.7 percent.

The maximum capacity of the entire system is projected to reach 41,000 MW, and average load capacity at 750 million kWh per day.

Water levels in hydropower reservoirs remained low in the opening months of the year, especially at key plants such as Hoa Binh, Son La, and Lai Chau.

The total amount of water in these reservoirs could generate just 5.11 billion kWh of electricity in the first quarter - 2.57 billion kWh lower than targeted.

In the time to come, coal-fired and oil and gas turbine plants will be fully exploited to ensure sufficient electricity supply.

Attention will also be paid to ensuring coal supplies satisfy demand at thermal power plants, especially those in the Vinh Tan and Duyen Hai power centres, and also the national grid.

EVN has also directed the National Power Transmission Corporation to strengthen operational management and ensure the safe and reliable operation of the transmission network to provide high-intensity and uninterrupted transmission in the dry season, especially the North-South 500 kV transmission network.

It plans to complete the expansion of Duyen Hai 3 Thermal Power Plant in April and the two turbines of the Thuong Kon Tum Hydropower Plant in the second quarter. The Phuoc Thai Solar Power Project, meanwhile, is scheduled to begin generating electricity this July.

EVN ensured safe and stable electricity supply to meet electricity demand for production, business, and daily life nationwide in the first quarter, as well as increased power supply for hospitals, concentrated quarantine areas, and COVID-19 treatment facilities.

Its power output totaled 57 billion kWh in the quarter, up 6.3 percent year-on-year.

EVN subsidiaries began construction of 18 projects during the quarter and completed 22 others with capacities ranging from 110kV to 500kV.