The Lancang - Mekong Power Utility Summit is held annually, starting in 2014, at the initiative of China Southern Power Grid (CSG). The main members of the forum include CSG, Electricite Du Cambodge (EDC), Électricité du Laos (EDL), Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and Vietnam Electricity (EVN).
EVN's delegates attended the Lancang - Mekong Power Utility Summit online from Hanoi.
The forum aims to grasp the power sector development situation of each member country, at the same time identify the important role of cooperation in the electricity area, in order to contribute to ensuring electricity supply for each country and energy security for the region through an optimal exploitation of power sources and interconnected power grids with sufficient cross-border transmission capacity.
Representing EVN in this year's forum, Mr. Phan Minh Tuan – Director of the International Relations Department of EVN said: As of the end of 2021, the total installed capacity of the Vietnamese power system was 76,620 MW, of which hydropower accounted for 28.5%, coal-fired power 32.2%, gas thermal power 9.3%, renewable energy (wind power, solar power) with 20,670 MW accounted for 27%. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam's electricity consumption demand in 2020 - 2021 decreased significantly (at 3.4% in 2020 and 3.8% in 2021, compared to 10%/year of the average growth rate in 2016-2019). It is forecasted that in the period 2022 - 2025, Vietnam's electricity consumption demand will recover and grow at about 7 - 9% per year.
In order to secure sufficient electricity for socio-economic development, in addition to developing power plants in the country with an additional capacity of about 5,000 - 7,000MW per year, Vietnam will enhance electricity trading with neighboring countries, contributing to diversifying energy supply sources for Vietnam and promoting cooperation among countries.
Mr. Phan Minh Tuan – Director of the International Relations Department presented at the conference on behalf of EVN
Regarding the power grid interconnection and electricity trading situation with neighboring countries, Mr. Phan Minh Tuan said: Currently, Vietnam has power grids interconnected and electricity trading with Cambodia, Laos and China through various power transmission lines.
Regarding the theme of “Green and Low Carbon Development towards a Shared Future”, at the COP26 Conference held in November 2021, the Prime Minister of Vietnam pledged that Vietnam reached net-zero emissions by 2050. To implement the above target, the latest draft of the National Power Development Plan for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision for 2045 (Master Plan VIII) prioritizes the development of clean energy sources such as LNG and renewable energy, reducing the proportion of coal-fired power plants. It is targeted that by 2025, the total capacity of renewable energy sources other than hydropower is 20,416 - 23,332MW. This is a breakthrough step, demonstrating a determination of the Government of Vietnam in general and the power sector in particular to realize the goals of combating climate change, green and sustainable development.
Over the past time, EVN has collaborated and worked with many international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, the UK Government's COP26 Envoy, the French Development Agency, the German Development Bank, etc. to discuss cooperation and funding possibilities for a sustainable energy transition and green development in the power sector.
In the coming time, Vietnam Electricity wishes to maintain cooperation with partners and hopes that the Governments of countries in the Lancang – Mekong Cooperation will further support and facilitate the promotion of power trading among countries, as well as the exchange of valuable experiences and lessons in the development of the power sector.