Prime Minister requests 'ultimatum' for 5 behind-schedule coal-fired thermal power projects

On April 1, the Government Office announced the Prime Minister's decision approving the Plan to implement the National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (Power Plan 8).

After 2030, Vietnam will not build new coal-fired thermal power plants.

In particular, the Prime Minister has approved a list of power source projects that need to be prioritized for implementation to ensure electricity supply for socio-economic development needs in the coming years with the requirement that "electricity must go one step ahead".

Regarding coal-fired thermal power, previously, Decision No. 500 dated May 15, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving Plan 8 clearly stated that only projects included in the adjusted Power Plan 7 and under construction investment until 2030 are allowed to be implemented.

Accordingly, in the appendix of the Plan for implementing Plan 8, the list of coal-fired thermal power projects to be deployed until 2030 has only 6 projects with a total capacity of 6,125 MW deployed and put into operation, including: Van Phong 1 Thermal Power Plant, capacity of 1,432 MW (in operation) in Khanh Hoa. Vung Ang II Thermal Power Plant, capacity of 1,330 MW in Ha Tinh (operational in 2025 - 2026).

The plants to be put into operation in 2026 include: Na Duong II Thermal Power Plant, with a capacity of 110 MW in Lang Son, under construction; Quang Trach I Thermal Power Plant, with a capacity of 1,403 MW in Quang Binh, under construction.

Plants operating in 2027 include: An Khanh - Bac Giang thermal power plant, capacity of 650 MW in Bac Giang; Long Phu I thermal power plant, capacity of 1,200 MW in Soc Trang.

In addition, 5 other coal-fired thermal power projects are behind schedule, facing difficulties in changing shareholders and arranging capital, including: Quang Tri Thermal Power Plant, capacity 1,320 MW in Quang Tri. Cong Thanh Thermal Power Plant, capacity 600 MW in Thanh Hoa. Nam Dinh 1 Plant, capacity 1,200 MW in Nam Dinh. Vinh Tan III Thermal Power Plant, capacity 1,980 MW in Binh Thuan. Song Hau II Thermal Power Plant, capacity 2,120 MW in Hau Giang.

For the Quang Tri Thermal Power Plant, the investor has sent a document requesting to stop the project. However, the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee is proposing to convert it to a gas-fired power plant. For the Cong Thanh Thermal Power Plant project, the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has sent a document requesting the investor to convert it to an LNG power plant.

However, in the decision approving the Plan to implement Power Plan 8, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to directly work with the investors of the above 5 projects, only allowing an extension until June. If after this time, the investors cannot implement the projects, the Ministry of Industry and Trade must consider terminating the projects according to the provisions of law.

Also according to Power Plan 8, coal-fired thermal power plants that have been in operation for 20 years are oriented to convert fuel to biomass and ammonia when the cost is suitable. Coal-fired thermal power plants over 40 years old will have to stop operating if they do not convert fuel. Power Plan 8 defines a roadmap to 2050, Vietnam will no longer use coal in electricity production.

In the decision approving the Plan to implement Power Master Plan 8, the Prime Minister requested a strong energy transition from fossil fuels to new energy sources and renewable energy to reduce environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the committed goals under the Nationally Determined Contribution and Vietnam's target of net zero emissions by 2050.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/thu-tuong-yeu-cau-ra-toi-hau-thu-5-du-an-nhiet-dien-than-cham-tien-do-185240401182015203.htm