Northern power cuts 'at lowest level' next week

Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has just sent a report to the Prime Minister on the electricity supply situation in the first half of June.

In the report, EVN said it has implemented many solutions and achieved certain results. Currently, EVN has been able to ensure electricity supply for all provinces and cities in the Central and Southern regions from Ha Tinh onwards (36/63 provinces and cities).

But due to the poor water situation of hydroelectric reservoirs in the North, since June 1, EVN has had to regulate load and reduce electricity in the North.

According to weather forecasts, from June 18, the temperature in the North will increase again and will remain at 36-37 degrees Celsius for nearly a week. Although the water level in hydroelectric reservoirs has improved, it is still low and there is no information about flooding in the reservoirs in the North. Therefore, EVN said that it will still have to reduce electricity demand until water flows to hydroelectric reservoirs.

EVN expects the North to cut power 'at the lowest level' next week (Photo: Hoang Ha)

EVN expects the power cut in the North next week to be 2,000-2,500 MW. However, this is about 20-30% lower than the average cut in early June and half the cut of the peak day of 5,000 MW.

EVN said that power cuts in the North gradually decreased from June 6-15 compared to the beginning of the month, thanks to improved hydrological conditions and widespread rain in the northern river basins. The cool weather reduced electricity demand, with the average power cut in the North last week being about 1,825 MW, equivalent to nearly 8% of electricity output not meeting demand.

With the temperature in the North having cooled down, the Hanoi area did not have to cut off power for 3 days (from June 13 to 15). In the remaining areas of the North, the power cuts have gradually decreased and by June 15, the average capacity reduction was only 1,319MW, accounting for about 5.7% of the capacity used.

However, electricity demand increased again from June 16-17. Updated data from EVN and the National Load Dispatch Center (A0) showed that the national demand on June 16 was more than 861 million kWh, of which nearly half was in the North. The proportion of electricity consumption in the Central region was 8% (69.2 million kWh) and 44% in the South, approximately 378 million kWh.

Data from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (Ministry of Industry and Trade) shows that on June 16, all major reservoirs were above the dead water level, but not many. If operating at maximum power generation, it can only last 2-4 days. Currently, the reservoirs are storing more water to ensure power generation for the upcoming hot days.

However, incidents at coal-fired thermal power plants remain high, with plants experiencing long-term incidents having a total capacity of 2,100 MW; plants experiencing short-term incidents are 660 MW.

EVN said that in the coming days, it will continue to closely monitor hydrological developments at hydropower plants and make adjustments as soon as there are changes to "ensure the lowest capacity cut."
Regarding coal supply, EVN said fuel for coal-fired thermal power plants across the country has been guaranteed.

Coal inventories at most factories are at a level of more than one week of operation. Some factories have inventories equivalent to up to a month of operation days such as Pha Lai 2, Nghi Son 1, Vung Ang. Some factories have inventories equivalent to two months or more such as Formosa Ha Tinh, Nghi Son 2, Pha Lai 1, etc.

What is the electricity price so that there is no confusion between business and welfare ? Abolishing the monopoly will help the electricity industry develop as it has happened with telecommunications and aviation. There will be no confusion between business and welfare, and no one will suddenly benefit just because of waste caused by the mechanism.

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