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Jan 04, 2019 / 14:55

EVN ordered to ensure sufficient power for economic growth

EVN needs to invest in power generation projects to ensure the growth of 9.9% in power consumption in 2019.

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has again asked Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the sole power distributor in the country, to ensure sufficient power for economic growth. 
 
Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung at a meeting on Jan 3. Photo: Chinhphu
Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung at a meeting on Jan 3. Photo: Chinhphu
The request was made after the sole power distributor had new general director, Tran Dinh Nhan, who was director of EVN Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC). 

EVN in recent months has warned that the country may face power shortage in 2019 if coal supply was not enough to feed thermal power plants. Accordingly, the government’s leaders including Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made firm orders to EVN, saying that the group must do by all means to avoid power shortage. 

EVN needs to take drastic measures to make sure that the growth of 9.9% in power consumption in 2019 would be met, Dung said at the event. 

The group should invest more in power generation to match with the distribution network, considering it as a main duty in 2019, Dung emphasized. 

 
EVN's General Director Tran Dinh Nhan. Photo: VNS
EVN's newly-appointed General Director Tran Dinh Nhan (R). Photo: VNS
Currently, Vietnam’s total power capacity amounts to 48,000 megawatts (MW). The figure may climb to 90,000 MW in 2025 and 130,000 MW in 2030. 

Of the current capacity, hydropower accounts for 52%, nearly reaching the country’s maximum hydropower potentials. 

Dung noticed EVN of investing in different power sources including hydropower, thermal power, gas-fueled power, and renewables. 

In 2018, Vietnam’s power capacity reached 212.9 billion kWh, including volume both produced domestically and purchased from neighboring countries, up 10.36% on year.