Mr. Ngo Son Hai – Vice President of Vietnam Electricity (EVN)
Reporter: The Prime Minister asked to strengthen the interconnection between the two countries Laos and Cambodia. Can you elaborate on how the stated countries have been collaborated, exchanging energy with Vietnam ?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: The power interconnection between Vietnam and countries in the region have been effected from the period 2001-2005, based on the Power Master Plan V approved by the Prime Minister. In which, Vietnam linked the national grid with Laos through two 220kV lines to import electricity from Laos’ hydroelectric power plants (including Xekaman 1 with capacity of 290MW and Xekaman 3 with capacity of 250MW)
Through the Chau Doc – Ta Keo 220kV line, Vietnam sold the electricity to Cambodia with the highest capacity of 200MW. In addition, Vietnam also sold electricity to these two countries in medium and low voltage range, serving some of the areas close to Vietnamese border.
In order to facilitate the power exchange between the countries, in October 2016, the governments of Vietnam and Laos have signed a memorandum of cooperation of “Cooperation and development of hydropower projects in Laos, interconnecting the power systems and purchase of electricity”
Reporter: In the next period, will EVN propose any specific plan in enhancing power exchanges with the two countries according to the Government’s assignment ?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: Together with other related ministries and parties, EVN has conducted negotiations with the partners from Laos and Cambodia in the method to link the grid. EVN has established a task force with the EVN leaders directing, working with power companies and owners of power projects in Laos and Cambodia, conducting research on estimating demands, technological and commercial solutions in grid link and reporting to Ministry of Industry and Trade, submitting to the Government.
EVN has organized several meeting with Electricite Du Laos (EDL) about the possibility and plan to import electricity from Laos. At the same time, EVN also hire specialized consultants to research power interconnection and electricity purchase from Laos. Besides, many investors already proposed to build the power plant in Laos, generate and sell the electricity directly to Vietnam, as well as the construction of transmission lines in Laos to import electricity from Yunnan (China) sold to Vietnam (the Southern region). EVN is currently negotiating with the project owners.
For Cambodia, the EVN has been working with the Electricite Du Cambodia (EDC). Accordingly, EVN supports EDC in technical solutions, ensuring safe and stable operation of power system, as the current Cambodian power system is not yet capable of operating independently. In the short run, the potential of energy export from Cambodia to Vietnam is insignificant, so EVN is aiming for the longer-term plans. In the next period, EVN will continue to discuss and deliberate the possibility of importing electricity from Cambodia.
Reporter: Has EVN encountered any difficulties and obstacles in strengthening interconnection with other countries ?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: The interconnection between Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and the bigger picture of connecting all South East Asian countries and Greater Mekong sub-regions have posed some issues and will remain difficult on a certain level in the future.
Technically, it is essential to ensure safe operation for each country and public safety for network link overall. Each country has its own standards and operation regulations. When linking the power grids, it will become a larger system, posing many potential issues and challenges in ensuring the stability of the whole system. Besides, the commercial factors also need to be assessed thoroughly to guarantee both parties benefits.
Reporter: What are the solutions discussed and to be implemented by both parties for these problems ?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: With the efforts from all parties, along with the development of science and technology, especially in the power sector, some problems in operation have been resolved.
In the next period, the parties will continue to promote the specified solutions such as enhancing consultation, discuss all technological and commercial issues, construction of standard-procedure systems in operational cooperation between countries, maintain the operation of interconnection research team…
Reporter: When cooperating with Laos and Cambodia in the field of energy, what will Vietnamese power industry benefit ?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: The benefits brought to Vietnam as well as the counterpart are huge. It is to strengthen the friendship, unity, cooperation and development between countries.
For Vietnamese power sector, in the context of temporarily halting the nuclear power project and possible slow progress of some big power projects, the grid interconnection with neighboring countries will help replenishing the energy for Vietnam, as well as diversifying the power sources, ensuring a safe and stable power supply, especially in the southern region.
In the near future, when the reserve of fossil fuels increasingly depletes, Vietnam will have to import coal, liquefied petroleum gas .. Linking the power grid with the regional countries will help the power sector to be less independent in importing the primary fuel source. Last but not least, it is the economic benefit and optimization of power system through power exchange with the neighboring countries.
Reporter: What are the experiences that EVN have gained during the exchange and interconnecting process with the neighboring countries ?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: It is important to regularly exchange information on the parties’ grid and power source development plans. Both sides need to have mutual elements on technical requirements of the power system to ensure safe and stable operation when linked.
We need to attentively finish all technical equipment for the linked areas. It is essential to strengthen English language training for the operating force. Language barrier would pose great difficulties for the operation process, especially in troubleshooting. We need to maintain the specialized group in interconnection, and regularly exchange experiences on building and operating the interconnected power system.
Reporter: in addition to Laos and Cambodia, has EVN extended the power exchange with other countries ?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: Currently, EVN is buying electricity from China via 220kW lines in Lao Cai and Ha Giang. As assigned by the Prime Minister, EVN is investigating on how to raise the possibility to import electricity from China through the existing 220kV lines, as well as considering the possibility of interconnecting at the high voltage 500kV in the period after the year 2020.
According to the general trend, along with the development of the power industry of the countries in the region, the power interconnection is not limited only to neighboring countries. It can also be extended to countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion such as Thailand, Myanmar or Malaysia if the conditions allow.
Reporter: Thank you!