Energized by the group’s positive results in the first six months of 2020, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is moving ahead with plans to increase power supply in response to growing needs.

Efforts to overcome difficulties

According to the mid-year report by EVN, the nation’s largest power company, the demand for electricity soared during the first six months of the year due to the Covid-19 epidemic, natural disasters and widespread and prolonged heat waves. At the same time, the power system had almost no power backup due to the low water levels in hydropower reservoirs and declining fuel supplies for thermal power plants. Nonetheless, EVN ensured sufficient electricity supply to serve national socioeconomic development and daily living with commercial output growth estimated at 103.17 billion kWh, up 2.29 percent over the same period last year.

EVN has also completed the goals it has set for business and customer service tasks. Accordingly, the ratio of customers making non-cash electricity bill payments reached 58.40 percent; EVN also reduced electricity prices for 26.79 million customers affected by the Covid-19 epidemic with total discounts of more than VND6.8 trillion.

In terms of investment and construction, EVN operated the expanded the Duyen Hai 3 thermal power project; issued PAC (Provisional Acceptance Certificate) for the expanded Vinh Tan 4 thermal power project; prepared for the power generation of the Thuong Kon Tum hydropower project in September 2020; and inspected a test run of the Phuoc Thai 1 solar power plant project.

In addition, EVN launched 75 projects and completed energizing 56 110-500kV power grid projects. In particular, the 220kV Ninh Phuoc substation project has been completed ahead of schedule, utilizing all the renewable energy sources in Ninh Thuan province.

Ensuring power supply

Power demand is forecast to continue growing, while fuel sources for electricity production like coal, oil, gas, and water are facing many difficulties, which will directly affect the group’s production and business activities in the second half of 2020.

However, EVN is still determined to fulfill its 2020 tasks with specific objectives including safe, stable operation of the power system and market, optimally mobilizing power plants, keeping close watch on load conditions and weather-hydrological developments and readiness to respond to adverse situations; preparing plans for flood and storm prevention, ensuring safety for dams, lakes and hydroelectric works, and downstream areas in the rainy season. It will also disseminate information about energy efficiency to power consumers and about safe and reliable operation of the transmission grid, especially the 500kV north-south grid system.

EVN also strives to complete power generation of two units at the Thuong Kon Tum hydropower project, power generation of Phuoc Thai 1 and Se San 4 solar power projects, and prepare to start the expanded Hoa Binh hydropower project. Regarding power grids, it strives to power up the 500kV Vung Ang-Doc Soi-Pleiku 2 transmission line project by the end of 2020; and accelerate the energizing of key projects across the country.

In the remaining months of the year, EVN will continue to carry out equitization and divestment tasks as planned, improve business and customer service quality; disseminate information about power saving, and support customers in installing rooftop solar panels.

Source: http://ven.vn/