Quality of ash, slag meets standards for reuse
Tank trucks collecting and transportingfly ash at silo of a thermal power plant according to a "closed" process
EVN's statistics show that, on average, every year, 14 thermal power plants in EVN consume about 40 million tons of coal and generate about 8-10 million tons of ash and slag. In order to secure consistency and stability in the long-term consumption of ash and slag at the plants in the Group, EVN has requested the power plants to issue invitation letters for consumption of ash and slag, these plants have signed short/long term ash, slag and gypsum consumption contracts with partners. At the same time, 100% of thermal power plants and companies under the Group have developed and implemented a scheme on consumption of ash, slag and gypsum from power plants, according to the form issued by the Group.
Notably, according to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment of EVN, EVN's thermal power plants have analyzed elements and characteristic properties of ash and slag and all meet requirements according to Vietnamese standards. At the same time, the power plants have registered for standard conformity, regulation conformity, certification of ash and slag eligible for reuse for specific purposes such as additives of cement, concrete, leveling material, car road background, etc.
A specific incentive policy is needed
The positive result that EVN has achieved is that the consumption rate of ash and slag in the following years is higher than the previous years. In 2020, despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, EVN's ash and slag consumption rate reached more than 83.4% of the generated volume. Previously, in the period 2015 - 2018, the consumption rate of ash and slag stopped at more than 40%.
Slag storage yards of EVN’s power plants are guaranteed to be green and clean. Photo: EVNGENCO 1
Currently, EVN is striving to consume 100% of ash and slag. However, at power plants in the South region, due to their locations far from consumption markets, the transportation becomes difficult and costly. Along with that, local organizations and people in this region are not familiar with using construction materials made from thermal power ash and slag. In particular, although Vietnam currently has standards and regulations for the application of ash and slag in the transport and construction industries, specific incentive mechanisms and policies are yet to be in place, investors of construction projects are still hesitate to use ash and slag.