Among them, 72 solar power plants with a total capacity of 4,189MW are under the control of the National Load Dispatch Center (A0); 10 plants with a total capacity of 275MW are under the control of regional load dispatch centers.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung - Head of the Electricity Market Operation Department (A0) said that as of the middle of April 2019, there were only 4 solar power plants with a total capacity of less than 150MW in the whole power system. For the time being, solar power accounts for 8.28% of the total installed capacity of Vietnam's power system.

The National Load Dispatch Center, regional load dispatch centers and relevant organizations have focused all resources in 24/24h, even working overtime in holidays during the past 6 months, to coordinate effectively with project owners to energize projects on schedule.

It is expected that from now until the end of 2019, A0 will continue to energize and put into operation 13 more solar power plants, with a total capacity of 630MW, bringing the total number of solar power plants in the whole power system to 95.

Vinh Tan 2 Solar Power Plant, invested by Power Generation Corporation No.3, has come into commercial operation since June 22, 2019 - Photo: Dinh Lien

Despite the fact that solar power is a valuable capacity addition to the power system which is facing difficulties in power supplies, a large number of solar power plants coming into operation in a short period have been causing many challenges to the operation of power system. This situation is caused by the intermittency and dependence on weather conditions of this energy type.

In addition, the blooming and massive development of solar power projects concentrating in some provinces such as Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Dak Lak has caused the overloading of 110kV and 220kV power grids in these areas.

Since early 2018, the Center has collaborated with a number of foreign consultants to evaluate impacts of renewable energy sources on the power system operation. Since then, based on the actual development of renewable energy sources, the Center has kept on monitoring, studying and thus putting forward recommendations to Vietnam Electricity on optimal operation plans and principles to secure a nonstop and stable power supply.

Currently, the Center has been investing in a number of systems such as: expanding the fault monitoring and recording system, widespread electrical monitoring system, developing a power quality monitoring system to assess impacts of new energy types; developing an output forecasting system for renewable energy sources to formulate optimal dispatching plans, with the aim of exploiting the most of this energy source.

evn.com.vn