Electricity production and imports in H1 at 151.69 billion kWh

According to the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV), in the first six months of 2024, under the close direction of the Government and related ministries and agencies, power supply for socioeconomic development and daily use was well guaranteed.

The EVN calculated that the Northern power system will basically meet the load capacity demand

During the period, electricity production and import were estimated to reach 151.69 billion kWh, an increase of 776 million kWh compared to the yearly plan.

The ERAV mobilized 86.4 billion kWh from coal thermal power sources, accounting for about 56.96 percent of total output, 556 million kWh higher than the plan; about 13.08 billion kWh from gas thermal power sources; and 28.62 billion kWh from hydropower sources, 658 million kWh higher than the plan.

Meanwhile, renewable energy sources mobilized reached 20.67 billion kWh, accounting for about 13.63 percent of total output in the first half of 2024, of which the source from wind energy reached 6.123 billion kWh, and from solar power reached 13.88 billion kWh.

Ensuring sufficient electricity for the economy

Based on the developments of actual load in June 2024, the evaluations of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the forecasts on socio-economic development in the last months of the year, the EVN calculated that the Northern power system basically meets the load capacity demand; however, the reserve capacity of power sources is still low.

In July 2024, with the scenario of prolonged extreme hot weather, and unexpected incidents to coal-fired thermal power plants which may cause the Northern power system to be at risk of reserve power shortage, related agencies and units will have to drastically respond to shifting load demand between peak hours, and at the same time mobilize additional diesel generators to ensure sufficient power supply.

From August to December, as the reserve capacity of the Northern power system is still low, power generation units need to continue to strictly maintain the available power capacity and readiness of equipment.

As for the Southern and Central power systems, in the context of a sharp decline in domestic gas resources due to maintenance and repairs of gas fields, it is necessary to mobilize flexible sources such as switching to running on DO fuel, supplementing LNG for gas turbine units and oil-fired units in Can Tho, Thu Duc... to meet peak loads as well as peak times in the evening when solar power does not work.

Generally, the total expected power production output and imports in the last six months of 2024 is equivalent to the annual plan approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Decision No.924/QD-BCT dated April 19, 2024; and the electricity supply will be basically guaranteed.

To ensure electricity for the second half of this year, the ERAV will implement synchronous groups of solutions, such as improving the efficient operation of the power system and the electricity market, ensuring investments in the construction of power projects, continuing to adjust the load and save electricity, at the same time directing relevant units to early negotiate electricity prices with transitional projects, negotiate and sign electricity purchase and sale contracts with projects that have reached power generation deadline according to the law.