Severe shortage

At the beginning of June 2010, Dang Hoang An, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), predicted that electricity supplies would be ensured after June 20 as the hydrographic situation improved. Yet the weather in June has not been favourable as expected.

An EVN official told VietNamNet that the domestic demand for electricity is constantly increasing, while water levels in many northern and central area reservoirs are low, some even drying out. Therefore, the power supply capability is at a lower level than before June 20. EVN must reduce its power output. Many provinces must cut their power supply further if the weather is still hot and produces no rain.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of Hoa Binh Hydro-Electric Power Plant, reported that the water level in Hoa Binh Reservoir is now at 81m, only 1.5m above operational level. With such low levels, the power plant can only supply 12 percent of Vietnam’s total electricity output.

He added that when the Da River system water levels improve, China’s hydro-electric power plants will use it, so he is not sure whether or not the water will reach Hoa Binh Lake.

Tuyen Quang and Thac Ba reservoir water levels are only tens of centimeters above operational level.

According to EVN, hydro-electric power plants contribute 34.2 percent of Vietnam’s total electricity output. They can generate 130 million kWh/day (if operating 20 hours/day) in the rainy season, and 65-68 million kWh (if operating 10-12 hours/day) in the dry season. The current drought has reduced their output to just 40-45 million kWh/day. In this situation, the power supply will depend on thermal power plants in Quang Ninh, Son Dong and Cam Pha.

Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang on June 21 issued the year’s third set of instruction about power saving. Hoang asked residents to reduce power use and told EVN to maximize use of all available sources of electricity.

EVN will closely monitor the hydrological situation and operate its hydroelectric power plants in a flexible manner. It will also focus on putting two thermal power plants, Haiphong 1 and Quang Ninh 1, back into operation at the earliest possible time. In addition, EVN subsidiaries will work with businesses that have standby diesel-powered sources and persuade them to use them to ease growing pressure on the industry.

The Minister of Industry and Trade also told EVN to monitor the power supplied by power corporations.

Hoang asked the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) to talk with contractor Talisman about speeding up maintenance and repairs to the gas supply system PM3-CAA. PetroVietnam is also tasked with joining EVN in preparing sufficient quantities of DO oil for plants Ca Mau 1 and 2.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (VINACOMIN) will direct its electricity-generating companies to operate at maximum levels and will take measures to start up Son Dong and Cam Pha power plants.

EVN Deputy General Director Dau Duc Khoi explained that his group also increased the volume of electricity purchased from China. However, he added, the power sector needs more assistance from the people and the business community. Economical use of electricity remains the best solution to the problem of power shortages.

New fines for power-related violations

At the same time, power supply violations outlined in the Government’s new decree doesn’t mention compensation for customers in case power is cut illegally.

The new Decree 68/100, experts say, has made progress compared to previous regulation efforts. They assert that the Government still needs to issue many more instructions to implement the new rules, especially the system of charging power firms in case they cut off or reduce power without informing their customers in advance. Moreover, they noted that the highest fines– 30-40 million dong ($1,800-2000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              800-2000      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) — are too gentle.

Power companies will only be fined 3-4 million dong ($150-200) if they halt or reduce the power supply. Fines will be just 4-5 million dong if they cut or reduce power without informing customers in advance.

Since the firms always claim “technology breakdowns”, the new decree stipulates that they will be fined from 10-20 million dong ($600-1000) if the breakdown is caused by operating errors or faulty equipment. The new decree also states that power firms must compensate businesses for losses caused by power cuts or reductions in case they use untested or low-quality equipment that does not meet Vietnam’s standards.

Power firms that sell power at prices higher than those set by competent agencies will only be fined 10-20 million dong ($600-1000). The highest fines (30-40 million dong) are for power firms that buy electricity from illegal sources, import and export electricity without a licence and those who steal power.

The HCM City Power Corporation reported that the power sector has not paid compensation to anyone who suffered losses caused by illegal power cuts, but they have paid customers whose electric equipment broke down because of mistakes made by power workers.

Soure: Vietnamnet

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