The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister, Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh - Chairman of the Commission for the Management of State Capital (CMSC) at Enterprises, leaders of relevant ministries, agencies, localities having projects constructed, corporations, and state-owned corporations in the energy sector.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs meeting on implementation of project of Quang Trach-Pho Noi 500kV circuit-3 transmission line, plans to ensure power supply during peak periods in 2024, 2025, and following years - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
About power supply
The produced and imported electricity output of the whole country in 5 months is estimated at 124.2 billion kWh, increasing by 12.1% over the same period in 2023. Commercial electricity in 5 months is estimated at 110.24 billion kWh, an increase of 14.1% over the same period in 2023.
In particular, at the end of April, the prolonged hot weather in all three regions caused electricity consumption to increase to a high record, with the maximum capacity nationwide reaching 47,670MW (April 27), increasing by 13.2% over the same period in 2023, the largest daily electricity output reached 993 million kWh (April 26)
In the coming time, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), the national electricity system will basically meet sufficient power for socio-economic development and people's needs for most of the time in 2024.
Prime Minister clearly states that construction of 500kV circuit-3 transmission line is a central and important task, requiring total mobilization of resources and good coordination among forces; Relevant entities need to make efforts to resolve difficulties and obstacles in project implementation - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The basis for this is being proactive in preparing fuel supply for electricity production. The total amount of water available in hydroelectric reservoirs converted into electricity output is about 11.3 billion kWh, this is a backup source of power for the upcoming peak period.
Regarding capacity balance, the Central and Southern regions have met capacity balance. However, the North has a potential risk of peak capacity shortage, especially during peak hot months (June to August) in case unfavorable factors appear at the same time.
About Quang Trach - Pho Noi 500kV circuit-3 transmission line
To date, 1,177/1,177 column foundation positions have been handed over (100%), and the corridor of route 478/513 anchorages has been handed over (93%). Regarding the supply of steel columns, 667/1,177 column positions have been handed over.
Regarding construction, foundation casting for 1,162/1,177 locations has been completed, 15/1,177 locations are under construction; Completed erection of 398/1,177 column positions, 222/1,177 positions are being erected; pulling cable 10/513 anchor intervals has been completed, pulling cable 7/513 anchorage intervals are under implementation.
EVN is fiercely urging construction contractors to focus on human resources and construction machinery to soon complete the construction of column foundations, column erection, and cable pulling according to the committed schedule; contractors are urged to provide materials and equipment (steel columns, cables, accessories, fiber optic cables, etc.) to urgently complete fabrication and transport it to the construction site for erection.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha making notes at meeting - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Control the progress of circuit-3 line weekly and daily
Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the construction of the 500 kV circuit 3 line is a central and important task, but also a difficult one, requiring total mobilization of resources and good coordination among forces.
The Prime Minister noted and highly appreciated the results of deploying the 500kV circuit-3 line, many tasks have been and are being done well, such as site clearance, building foundations, columns, and pulling cables.
Minister of MOIT Nguyen Hong Dien making speech at meeting - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The Prime Minister pointed out that, in addition to the very basic results achieved, relevant entities need to make more efforts to resolve difficulties and obstacles in project implementation regarding columns, anchorages, and personnel and equipment clearance.
Accordingly, the provinces of Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, and Hung Yen still have many anchorage sections (each province has 3-9 sections) that have not been handed over and must be urgently completed.
EVN focuses on working and urging production contractors to ensure an adequate supply of columns; review the import of equipment and work with partners to promote and meet progress and quality requirements.
Regarding human resources for pulling cables and erecting columns, EVN calculates, works, and coordinates closely with capable and experienced units such as PVN, Viettel, VNPT, etc., these units provide maximum support in terms of human resources and equipment at EVN's request.
With problems related to customs clearance of goods and equipment for the project, EVN synthesizes specific information (border gate of customs clearance, time of customs clearance), exchanges and coordinates with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of Transport (MOT) to solve the issues; These two ministries shall work with competent agencies of other countries; MOF directs customs forces at border gates to facilitate and promote the customs clearance.
The Prime Minister requested EVN to review and rebuild the project's critical path and control it daily, and weekly, and by June 20, the cable pulling must be completed, then tested, accepted, and energized not later than June 30.
The Project implementation is required to ensure progress, improve quality, and ensure safety and environmental sanitation, especially when constructing on many terrains during hot, rainy, and flood seasons with high risk of landslides.
Chairman of CMSC Nguyen Hoang Anh making speech at meeting - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Regarding some specific tasks, the Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Minister of MOIT Nguyen Hong Dien to continue to direct, inspect, and urge the implementation following the Prime Minister's direction.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and EVN shall urgently organize the appraisal and completion of the compensation policy framework for the project, which shall be completed no later than this week.
MOT directs agencies to soon complete agreements on construction measures for intersections between lines and roads and railways.
MOIT continues to maintain weekly review meetings on the project; and direct Vietnamese business offices in other countries where EVN imports equipment to promote this issue, considering this a key task in May and June.
Local Party Committee Secretaries at all levels continue to pay attention to leading, directing, and inspecting project implementation in the area; Chairmen of local People's Committees carry out tasks based on their authority. Localities continue to coordinate with ministries, especially EVN and EVNNPT to mobilize resources and human resources to implement the project, including youth union members; ensure the legal and legitimate rights, interests, and legitimate rights of the people where the project passes through, urgently complete site clearance with the requirement that "even one household shall be still encouraged and persuaded", hand over the site, and ensure the site for construction and cable-pulling.
EVN shall regularly inspect and urge contractors to focus highly on project implementation with the spirit of "just work, not delay", "overcome hot, raining and hash weather", "Eat up to sleep quickly", construction with "3 shifts of 4 crews", working all days off, through holidays, even Tet days, etc., while ensuring the capacity to regenerate labor and the legal and legitimate rights of workers; handle payment procedures promptly, be determined to complete the project and energize power on June 30 to come.
Power supply: Overcoming challenges in the hottest April in history
Regarding power supply, the Prime Minister pointed out that the economic growth rate and recovery of production and business in the first quarter and April and May 2024 will be accompanied by positive changes in many industries, fields, and localities, which makes electricity demand increase accordingly. According to forecasts, electricity demand for the whole year increased by about 9%, but in recent months it has increased by 13%, and peak electricity demand in the North increased by 17% over the same period.
Prime Minister requires ministries, agencies, investors, contractors, and workers to have greater determination, greater efforts, and overcome all difficulties and challenges to complete tasks based on their functions and tasks duties, and powers assigned - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Up to now, thanks to lessons learned in 2023, agencies have operated better, basically meeting electricity demand, especially overcoming the challenge of the record-hot April recently.
Accordingly, the Prime Minister requested to diversify power sources, including power imports, but make the most of domestic capabilities; Coordinate well, appropriately, and effectively sources, including thermal power, hydropower, solar power, wind power, biomass power, etc., power plants must calculate appropriate maintenance times, without stopping plants operating at the same time.
The Coal-Minerals Group and the Northeast Corporation exploit and meet the maximum demand for coal, minimizing coal imports. In this regard, the overall benefit must be considered, not for local benefits; The authorities have performed a good task in preventing, stopping, and repelling illegal mining and coal smuggling.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with other agencies and EVN, consider, calculate, and operate hydroelectric reservoirs most appropriately and effectively, ensuring flexibility, and no "jerky" situations. If the hydrological situation is favorable, we will take advantage of the maximum exploitation of hydroelectric resources and avoid wastefulness.
Regarding power transmission, the Prime Minister requested to urgently complete the lines under construction, including the 500kV circuit-3 line, and have mechanisms and policies to mobilize social resources, and encourage investment in power transmission with the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks" among the State, people, and businesses.
MOIT shall urgently complete and submit for promulgation decrees related to direct electricity trading; encourage self-generated and self-consumed rooftop solar power; mechanism for developing power projects using natural gas and LNG on the basis of listening to the opinions of relevant parties so that the policy comes to life, meets practical requirements, prevents corruption, negativity, and arising complex problems.
The Prime Minister also noted appropriate, effective, and balanced electricity distribution among regions; strictly implement Directive No. 20/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on enhancing electricity saving, performing a good task of communication on economical and efficient use of electricity; electricity prices need to be consistent with the affordability of people, businesses, the capacity of the economy and encourage investment in priority fields and mobilize social resources.