According to the National Load Dispatch Center, in the first 2 days of executing Directive No. 16 in 19 provinces/cities, the peak capacity of the entire Southern power system decreased by nearly 3000MW compared to the time before social distancing. In general, electricity consumption in the South has dropped by about 17% in terms of peak capacity and 15% in terms of daily power load compared to the average daily rate of the previous week. Electricity consumption in the South is forecasted to continue declining during the period of social distancing in 19 provinces/cities.
In order to operate the national power system safely, the National Load Dispatch Center (A0) is responsible for directing the dispatching to fit the generation structure, the transmission capacity of the regions, the required spinning reserve and quick-start reserve, etc. Dispatch orders must be strictly observed on the principle of clarity, transparency, uniform implementation among different generation types without differentiation.
All the power generation companies having power plants connected to the national power grid are responsible for strictly complying with the operation mode and dispatching orders of the corresponding dispatching center who has the control and inspection authority as prescribed in Circular No. 40/2014/TT-BCT stipulating the national power system dispatching procedure, Circular No. 31/2019/TT-BCT amending and supplementing a number of articles of the national power system dispatching procedure, and will take responsibility before the law for any violation acts. EVN has requested owners of the power generation companies to closely collaborate with the National Load Dispatch Center (A0) and other load dispatching centers in all levels in strictly following dispatching orders to ensure the safe operation of the national power system, especially when the electricity consumption in the South is dropping during the social distancing period in 19 provinces/cities.
Power companies in the South always ensure power supply in all situations
Faced with the situation that the COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading rapidly in the Southern provinces and cities, Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC) and the Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC) have actively implemented many plans to ensure a stable and uninterrupted power supply for the pandemic prevention and control, people's lives and production activities.
According to EVNSPC, there are currently about 600 COVID-19 control checkpoints located in the border area between Vietnam and Cambodia in the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, An Giang, Dong Thap and Kien Giang. In addition, there are nearly 100 control checkpoints at the borders between provinces, cities, towns, districts, inland towns, field hospitals, isolation areas, andCOVID-19 patient treatment areas in the area of 21 Southern provinces and cities. In these areas, EVNSPC has assigned local power companies to prepare backup plans to ensure safe and stable power supply.
In areas where the national power grid has not reached yet, EVNSPC has directed power companies to well perform power supply, grasping the number of COVID-19control checkpoints to make investment plans for power supply.
Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation has been prioritizing power supply for 15 field hospitals; 301 hospitals, medical facilities and isolation facilities; dozens of control checkpoints in the city. In particular, in July 2021, EVNHCMCurgently installed power lines, arranged backup generators, and planned to supply priority power for field hospitals in ThuDuc city, District 7, Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, Cu Chi districts, etc.
Up to now, despite many difficulties and challenges due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the electricity supply is secured in a safe and smooth manner in the Southern provinces as well as across the country.