The proportion of imported electricity is very small.

Regarding the issue of importing electricity from abroad, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An said that the import of electricity from China and Laos has been carried out for many years. Vietnam is also exporting electricity to a number of countries in the ASEAN region. Accordingly, importing electricity is a long-term strategy based on Vietnam's political and economic relations to ensure the country's long-term energy security and is determined in the national electricity development plan for each period.

In particular, electricity imports are carefully calculated to ensure a small import proportion, to ensure national energy security and autonomy, and to be consistent with the conditions of political-economic-trade relations with countries in the region. “The proportion of imported electricity in our country's electricity system is currently very small; imported from Laos is about 7 million kWh/day, China is 4 million kWh/day. Thus, the total imported electricity output is more than 10 million kWh/day, accounting for a very small proportion compared to the Northern electricity output of 450 million kWh/day,” said Deputy Minister Dang Hoang An.

EVN staff check the operation of the power grid. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

5 solar and wind power projects ready to generate electricity to the grid

Regarding the progress of negotiations and handling of problems for transitional renewable energy projects, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang An said that the main viewpoint for handling this issue is to comply with legal regulations, in the spirit of harmonious benefits and shared risks. This will ensure reasonable electricity prices and transmission costs, without causing major impacts on social interests.

After many times of urging, as of May 26, 52/85 transitional solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 3,155 MW (accounting for 67%) have submitted documents to EVN, to have a basis for implementing price negotiations in accordance with legal regulations. Currently, there are still 33 power plants with a total capacity of 1,581 MW that have not submitted negotiation documents (accounting for about 33%). Notably, among the projects that have submitted documents, there are 5 projects with a total capacity of 303 MW that have ensured all legal documents according to regulations, meeting the conditions for commercial power generation. These 5 projects are currently only waiting for testing and testing to be completed so that they can generate power to the grid in the coming days.

The report of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Industry and Trade also said that, implementing the direction of the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued documents directing EVN to negotiate with investors on temporary prices and operate electricity generation on the grid. After negotiations are completed and prices are agreed upon, payments will be made according to the official price from the date of electricity generation on the grid for projects that have completed investment and construction work and completed legal documents according to regulations.

To date, of the 85 projects that are still stuck, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has approved temporary prices for 19 investors proposing to apply temporary prices during the negotiation period with a total capacity of 1,346.82 MW. Currently, EVN is completing procedures for 17 more transitional power plants to submit to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for approval in May 2023. This is a positive signal, showing the negotiation efforts of investors and Vietnam Electricity Group in the spirit of harmonizing the interests of all parties.

VU DUNG