General Director Tran Dinh Nhan attended the meeting between MOIT of Vietnam and MOEM of Laos, attended the 12th Conference on Cooperation and Development of Border Trade between the two countries, attended the Laos - Vietnam Business Forum in the energy and mining sectors, and together with MOIT visited and worked at Laos Electricity Corporation and Phongsubthavy Group - the two enterprises having currently the most total capacity of power plants sold to Vietnam.
Speaking at the conference, General Director Tran Dinh Nhan highly appreciated the efforts made by Lao enterprises in investing to build power plants in Laos to sell power to Vietnam. As a result, so far, three hydroelectric plants have been put into commercial operation and sold to Vietnam with a total capacity of 572MW; 1,608MW from 22 other power plants that have signed Power Purchase Agreements, are currently under construction and will sell power to Vietnam before 2025; the capacity of 509MW has been approved by the Government to buy for Vietnam, is currently negotiating a Power Purchase Agreement with EVN and 1,577 MW from 10 other power plants has been agreed by EVN on the connection plan and power purchase and sale policy, submitted by EVN, then submitted to MOIT for reporting it to the Prime Minister for approval. Thus, by the end of 2025, the capacity expected to be bought and sold between Vietnam and Laos is likely to reach more than 4,000MW, surpassing the target set in the Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments in 2016.
General Director Tran Dinh Nhan suggested that Lao enterprises ensure the investment progress and put into commercial operation of power plants according to the committed schedule in the Power Purchase Agreements. For EVN, the General Director promised two Lao Ministers and enterprises that EVN would direct the units to ensure the progress of investment in connecting lines in the territory of Vietnam to receive power from projects according to the committed schedule. Emphasizing at the forum, General Director Tran Dinh Nhan made a proposal to the People's Committee of Quang Nam province to duly help achieve the goal of converting forest land for the expansion of the Dak Ooc 500kV substation and the connecting line in the second quarter of 2022. It, thereby, would ensure the target of receiving power from Nam Eamoun hydroelectric power plant on schedule, completing the goal of converting forest use purposes for the Monsoon - Thach My 500kV transmission line in 2022, ensuring the completion of the Power Purchase Agreement for the Monsoon 600MW Wind-power Plant to come into effect.
At the conference, the Minister of MOIT, the Minister of MOEM, leaders of Lao enterprises, and General Director Tran Dinh Nhan proposed a number of recommendations to MOIT of Vietnam in removing difficulties and obstacles, and further promoting cooperation between the two countries of Laos - Vietnam in the field of electricity; especially, it is necessary to soon develop and submit to the Prime Minister of Vietnam for promulgating the price framework for power import from Laos to Vietnam in the period after 2025 for all types of power generation.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien chairing the meeting with Lao enterprises
General Director Tran Dinh Nhan speaking at the meeting with Lao enterprises
Delegates of the two countries' Industry and Trade sectors attending the 12th Vietnam-Laos Border Trade Development Cooperation Conference