Part 5: EVN confidently enters "digital age" (2016 to present)

Developing Vietnam Electricity into a strong, innovative, restructuring, and modernizing economic group based on applying information technology and strong digital transformation.

Period 2016 – present

The total installed capacity of the national power system increased 2.1 times compared to 2015. EVN completed and put into operation additional large power sources such as Duyen Hai Power Center with modern technology, ensuring environmental protection standards, Lai Chau Hydropower.

The scale of Vietnam's power system is leading the ASEAN region in terms of power source capacity and ranking 22nd in the world, with the total installed capacity of the plants by the end of 2023 being 80,555MW.

In the general trend of the world's energy transition, since 2020, renewable energy sources (wind power, solar power, biomass power, waste-to-power) have grown strongly. Also by the end of 2023, this energy source accounts for 27% of the total installed capacity of the entire system.

The structure of power source ownership has changed significantly, in which the proportion of EVN's installed power capacity has decreased to 36%, while private power sources have increased rapidly, accounting for 42%.

During this period, the highlight of the investment and construction work was the completion of the Lai Chau Hydropower Plant. This is the last large hydropower plant in the Song Da hydropower cascade system. The plant was put into operation one year earlier than the Resolution of the National Assembly. All three generators were put into operation three months earlier than the Government's request, bringing great efficiency, and making a profit of more than VND 5,000 billion for the State.

Lai Chau Hydropower Plant has 3 units with a total installed capacity of 1,200MW, the average annual power output is 4.67 billion kWh. The project started on 5 November 2011, generating power from the No. 1 unit in December 2015 and inaugurated on 20 December 2016. Along with Son La Hydropower Plant, this is also a work that affirms the level and bravery of Vietnamese electricity workers.

Lai Chau Hydropower Plant put into operation 1 year earlier than Resolution of National Assembly, bringing great efficiency. Source: cosodulieu.evn.com.vn

Regarding the implementation of the National Target Program on Rural Electrification, EVN has successfully completed the task of delivering electricity to rural areas, mountainous areas, and islands, fundamentally changing the face of rural Vietnam, creating important premises and motivation for poverty reduction, improving material and spiritual life for rural people. Specifically, 97.0% of communes and 93.4% of households with electricity in 2007 increased to 99.98% and 98.83% respectively in 2017.

By 2023, EVN has basically completed the Rural Electrification Program, ensuring electricity for the National Target Program on New Rural Development (Criteria No. 4). To date, 100% of communes, 99.83% of households, and 99.74% of rural households are connected to the national grid.

In 2016, EVN undertook the electricity supply in the Bach Long Vi island district. In 2017, EVN completed the acceptance to ensure electricity supply on the two island districts of Con Co and Truong Sa. Thus, all island districts have been supplied with electricity by EVN, including Cat Hai (Hai Phong), Bach Long Vi (Hai Phong), Van Don (Quang Ninh), Co To (Quang Ninh), Con Co (Quang Tri), Ly Son (Quang Ngai), Phu Quy (Binh Thuan), Truong Sa (Khanh Hoa), Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Kien Hai (Kien Giang). Currently, EVN is implementing a project to supply national grid electricity to the Con Dao district by underground cable. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

On 28 February 2018, the Prime Minister issued Decree No. 26/2018/ND-CP on the Charter of organization and operation of Vietnam Electricity. Carrying out the task of supplying electricity for the country's socio-economic development needs, EVN currently has 3 power generation corporations (GENCO 1, 2, 3) and 9 hydropower/thermal power companies in the field of electricity generation, 5 power corporations trading electricity to customers, namely Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC), Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC), Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC), Hanoi Power Corporation (EVNHANOI), Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC). Currently, the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) is responsible for the power transmission sector of Vietnam Electricity.

The organizational structure has been perfected, the governance model has been innovated in a modern direction, creating a foundation for EVN to operate stably, develop sustainably, preserve and develop state capital as well as profitable production and business activities for many years, ensuring jobs and life for workers.

For many consecutive years, EVN has been rated by Fitch Ratings - one of the three most prestigious credit rating organizations in the world - as a long-term issuer default rating (IDR) at "BB+" (stable outlook, equal to the national credit rating).

In the period facing the pandemic COVID-19 (2020-2022), Vietnam's electricity industry has successfully completed the dual target: ensuring both power supply and epidemic prevention, while actively participating in community support activities, joining hands with the whole country and customers to overcome difficulties and overcome the pandemic.

The transmission and distribution grid continues to develop synchronously. The North-South 500kV line added circuit-3 of the sections Vung Ang - Quang Trach - Doc Soi - Pleiku 2 and Quang Trach - Quynh Luu - Thanh Hoa - Nam Dinh 1 - Pho Noi. EVN completed and put into effective operation 63/63 Remote Control Centers, completed the conversion of 100% of 110kV substations to the unmanned substation model.

In particular, the 500kV circuit-3 transmission line from Quang Trach (Quang Binh) to Pho Noi (Hung Yen) was "speedily" constructed to ensure power transmission to the North. Theb Quang Trach - Pho Noi 500kV  transmission line consists of 4 component projects: Quang Trach - Quynh Luu; Quynh Luu - Thanh Hoa; Nam Dinh I Thermal Power Plant - Thanh Hoa; Nam Dinh I Thermal Power Plant - Pho Noi.

500kV circuit-3 transmission line section crossing Lam River. Source: Thanh Vinh

The total length of the transmission line is about 519km, passing through 9 provinces, 43 districts/towns, and 211 communes/towns. The total investment is more than VND 22,300 billion. The construction site is complicated, passing through many hills and mountains, many localities, site clearance is difficult, and the workload is huge while the construction time is unprecedentedly urgent, but EVN and the units have made great efforts, solving many difficult problems, focusing on "3 shifts, 4 shifts" construction, eating and sleeping urgently right at the construction sites. After more than 6 months of construction, on 29 August 2024, the work was inaugurated, ensuring progress under the direction of the Prime Minister. This achievement is considered unprecedented compared to previous 500kV transmission line construction works.

In particular, EVN has also actively applied science and technology in all fields, from construction investment to production, business, customer service, and corporate governance. Technology infrastructure has been invested synchronously and modernly.

In recent years, EVN has strongly implemented digital transformation, basically becoming a Digital Enterprise (according to the criteria issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications), in which the EVNCONNECT digital ecosystem has been formed, providing online service applications, connecting with other ecosystems in the digital economy. EVN's human resources have also continuously improved their skills and qualifications, integrating with the development of the region and the world. In the whole EVN, a total of 525 employees have been recognized as ASEAN Engineers.

EVN - pioneer in digital transformation. Source: cosodulieu.evn.com.vn

For 4 consecutive years (from 2019-2022), EVN has achieved the title of excellent digital transformation enterprise; 2 products have been recognized as Made in Vietnam products, etc. Many units in EVN have also won high awards in digital transformation such as the Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Award (VIFOTEC), etc.

EVN has provided level 4 electricity services (the highest level) of online electricity services, non-cash payments, electronic contracts, etc. EVN is also a pioneer in providing 100% electricity services on the National Public Service Portal.

Translator: Hải Yến