EVN lacks 1 million tons of coal for electricity production, the North increases power cuts again

At a meeting with the Northeast Corporation, EVN (Vietnam Electricity Group) stated that, in the coming period, hot weather will continue in the North, coupled with unfavorable hydrological conditions, so it is expected that thermal power plants (coal, oil, and gas) will be operating at high capacity to ensure electricity supply.

Specifically, the total projected output of EVN's anthracite-based thermal power plants in June and July is 12.33 billion kWh, corresponding to a coal demand of 6.03 million tons.

However, the total volume under contracts signed with the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group (TKV) and the Northeast Corporation is 4.388 million tons, leaving a shortfall of approximately 1.642 million tons compared to the plan. Of this, the Vinh Tan 2 Thermal Power Plant (EVN Power Generation Corporation 3) is expected to proactively supplement about 600,000 tons in June and July. Thus, the remaining coal shortage for EVN's other plants is approximately 1 million tons (about 600,000 tons in June and 400,000 tons in July).

EVN forecasts a shortage of approximately 1 million tons of coal for electricity production in the next two months. (Illustrative image)

Given the above situation, EVN requests the Northeast Corporation to supply coal according to the signed contract, compensating for the shortfall in coal quantities as per the contract in June. At the same time, they should seek solutions to supplement the amount of coal supplied to power plants to meet the system's mobilization needs in the coming months, including reducing coal supplies to other consumer customers to increase the amount supplied for electricity production.

In May, the Northeast Corporation supplied 687,560 tons of coal to EVN's power plants, not including the 5% increase. From May 12th to the present, all anthracite-fired thermal power plants have been operating at maximum capacity as required by the system, with no plants shutting down or reducing capacity due to coal shortages. In June (from June 1st to June 11th), the Northeast Corporation supplied 147,000 tons to EVN's power plants, equivalent to 21.4% of the contracted volume.

Northern Vietnam resumes power cuts.

Currently, the electricity supply situation in the North remains very tense and difficult due to continuous malfunctions at coal-fired power plants, while hydroelectric reservoirs are still running low, only generating electricity intermittently. On June 12th, five coal-fired power plants in the Northern region experienced a reduction in capacity (Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Mong Duong 1, Cam Pha, Thai Binh 2, and Son Dong), with a total of 2,100 MW affected by long-term outages and 580 MW affected by short-term outages.

Regarding hydropower, recently, due to restrictions on mobilizing large multi-purpose hydropower plants (except for the Hoa Binh hydropower plant) to prepare for the upcoming hot weather, the water levels in multi-purpose hydropower reservoirs have all risen above the dead water level, although not by much. For example, the water level in the Lai Chau hydropower reservoir has increased by 1.2m compared to June 11, 2023, while the Hoa Binh reservoir is still 22.8m above the dead water level.

In this context, the North is showing signs of increasing power cuts again.

According to the latest data from EVN and the National Power System Dispatch Center (A0), the total electricity load on June 12th reached 817 million kWh. Of this, the North accounted for approximately 401.9 million kWh, the Central region approximately 76.3 million kWh, and the South approximately 338.2 million kWh. The peak power of the electricity system (Pmax) also increased compared to yesterday. Specifically, the system power peaked at 2:30 PM at 40,039 MW.

Amidst supply constraints, the power authority stated that the maximum power reduction capacity in the North on June 12th was approximately 3,225 MW, an increase compared to June 11th (2,744 MW) and June 10th (1,300 MW).

Experts advise that although hydrological conditions may improve, the heatwave continues to be complex, and electricity demand remains high. Therefore, hydropower plants need to operate flexibly and increase water storage in reservoirs. Meanwhile, people and businesses need to raise their sense of responsibility and promote electricity saving programs to avoid putting pressure on the national power grid, especially in the North.

The Government Office has just announced the conclusions of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at a meeting on the current electricity supply situation.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the State Capital Management Committee at Enterprises, EVN, PVN, and TKV to be responsible for organizing and implementing the assigned tasks and solutions effectively, and to overcome the current difficulties in electricity supply as quickly as possible.

Relevant ministries, agencies, and localities nationwide should coordinate and support functional agencies in organizing and implementing tasks and solutions to overcome difficulties and ensure electricity supply.

Even in the most challenging situations requiring electricity rationing and cuts, EVN must implement these measures in accordance with regulations and find solutions to minimize the impact on production activities and people's lives.

PHAM DUY

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Source: https://vtc.vn/evn-thieu-1-trieu-tan-than-cho-san-xuat-dien-mien-bac-tang-cat-dien-tro-lai-ar799406.html