Reporter: Could you tell us about the difficulties that EVN has to face to carry out its tasks in 2019?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: In 2019, power demand is predicted to continue to grow at a high rate, however, the Power system almost has no back-up for power supply. At the same time, the issue of ensuring power supply nationwide, in addition to EVN's efforts, also strongly depends on the progress of investment in new power source projects, the capacity to generate power of plants outside EVN.
By the end of 2018, many hydropower reservoirs, especially in the Central region, could not store water to the average level, leading to a shortage of about 2.56 billion kWh of hydropower output. Meanwhile, there are potential risks in ensuring the fuel for power generation such as the capacity to supply domestic coal for power generation is lower than the demand of nearly 8 million tons and coal must be imported; domestic gas sources have decreased but there has been no additional source yet, etc.
Besides, the input market factors of power generation fluctuate in unfavourable trend, in which the coal and gas prices are expected to increase in 2019. Facing this situation, since early 2019, EVN has focused on ensuring the power supply for socio-economic development of the country and people's living with the year theme of “Improving operation efficiency of power system and electricity market” in order to ensure safe, uninterrupted, stable and quality power supply to meet the demand of socio-economic development; optimally operated power sources, transmission and distribution grids, electricity market to ensure profitable production - business.
Reporter: To overcome these difficulties, What solution did EVN come up with, Sir?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: EVN has developed a plan of monthly power supply on the basis of closely following-up the situation of weather, hydrology, gas supply, operation of the electricity market to safely and reliably operate power systems, effectively exploit power sources. It has proactively supplied and imported coal for power generation to meet the power output in the dry season and the whole year; coordinated with Vietnam Oil and Gas Group to ensure the supply of gas and seek for new sources; closely coordinated with relevant units to operate reservoirs supplying water for production in the Midlands and Northern Delta regions to ensure the highest efficiency; regulated water in hydropower reservoirs, ensuring dam and reservoir safety in rainy and flood season of 2019, etc.
Reporter: So everything is ready, Sir?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: Yes, at the present time, the transmission and distribution units have prepared sufficient back-up supplies and equipment to be ready to quickly overcome in case of incidents. The units also have effectively utilized the detection and warning devices to prevent incidents, improve power supply reliability and reduce power loss on the transmission grid.
Additionally, power generation units are closely supervising to complete the repair on schedule, ensuring the operation of generator units, ready to meet the mobilization requirements of the National Load Dispatch Center. Coal and gas purchase contracts with units and enterprises were signed in January 2019; bidding for import of coal and liquefied petroleum gas will be conducted in the first quarter of 2019.
EVN has fully prepared coal receiving facilities (ports, dredging waterway flow, loading and unloading facilities, and storages) to meet coal demand for power generation and backup in unusual weather.
Currently, hydropower companies have been specifically working with local authorities in downstream areas to economically and efficiently use water sources of hydropower reservoirs in the dry season and supply water for daily life needs, agricultural production, desalination in localities, proper operation of reservoir and inter-reservoir procedures are approved; coordinating to regulate water and flood discharge in accordance with regulations.
In order not to affect the production of enterprises, EVN minimizes power cuts when repairing, maintaining and constructing power grid works by strengthening the application of hotline repair technology and proper construction methods, etc.
Reporter: Thank you very much!