EVNNPT Deputy General Director Luu Viet Tien (standing) speaking at the Workshop "Coordination in management and operation of the transmission grid-connected to the national power transmission grid", March 2021
Reporter: Could you please tell me what regulations are currently applied to the connection procedure from the power plant to the power transmission system?
Mr. Luu Viet Tien: Currently, the connection agreement of the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) with customers who have connection needs (including power plant investors) is implemented in accordance with the regulations on the transmission power system promulgated in Circular 25/2016/TT-BCT (Circular No. 25) dated 30 November 2016 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and internal regulations of Vietnam Electricity.
Reporter: To create convenience for power source investors, can you explain more clearly the steps to implement the connection agreement, and what and how long do investors need to prepare for and complete this procedure?
Mr. Luu Viet Tien: According to Article 43 – Sequence of connection agreement (in Circular No. 25), when there is a need for a new connection or to change an existing connection point, a customer wishing to connect shall send a connection request dossier to EVNNPT including:
A written request for connection, enclosed with the contents in accordance with the form specified in Annexes 1A, 1B, 1C issued together with Circular No. 25; technical documents on equipment intended to be connected or expected for changes at the current connection point; estimated time of project completion, economic - technical data of the project of new connection or change in existing connection.
After receiving a complete and eligible connection request dossier, EVNNPT is responsible for considering the requirements related to the proposed electrical equipment at the connection point; assume the prime responsibility for assessing the impact of the connection of equipment, power grids, and power plants of customers wishing to connect to the transmission grid; draft Connection Agreement according to the form specified in Appendix 2 issued together with Circular No. 25/2016/TT-BCT, sent to customers who need connection and dispatching level with control authority;
No later than 15 working days after receiving a complete and eligible connection request file from the customer, EVNNPT shall send a written request to the dispatching level with its control authority and relevant units to give official opinions on the influence of the connection on the transmission power system; Within 20 working days, these units are responsible for submitting written comments on the above contents.
After that, within 20 working days, EVNNPT is responsible for completing and signing the draft Connection Agreement with the customer. The time limit for reviewing the related dossier, preparing the draft Connection Agreement and sending it to the units for comments shall not exceed 35 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and eligible dossier.
Binh Thuan Power Transmission Workers providing technical support for energizing Trung Nam 500/220kV substation and connection line in combination with Trung Nam Thuan Nam Solar Power Plant, September 2020
Reporter: One of the issues that the power source investor cares about is whether the investor has to pay the connection charges when performing the connection, sir.?
Mr. Luu Viet Tien: According to Circular No. 25, customers with connection needs (including power plant investors) do not have to pay connection charges. EVNNPT is responsible for investing in the construction of the transmission grid to connect to the customer's power grid in accordance with the construction investment boundary as specified in the Connection Agreement.
From 2014 to now, EVNNPT has agreed to perform connections with 166 investors of power plants, including 47 power plants, small hydropower, biomass; 53 solar power plants and 66 wind power plants.
Reporter: In order to create the best conditions for investors of power source projects, what has EVNNPT directed to its affiliated units?
Mr. Luu Viet Tien: EVNNPT has directed transmission companies, affiliated project management boards to closely coordinate with customers to agree on the technical design of connection points, agree on a solution to power outage for construction, coordinate protection of lines, communications, coordinate operation in order to promptly handle incidents, ensure safe operation of the transmission grid.
EVNNPT providing technical support to complete the project of a 500kV transmission line connecting to the largest wind power plant in Vietnam - Ea Nam Wind Power Plant (Ea H'leo district, Dak Lak province), August 2021.
Reporter: How should power source investors coordinate with EVNNPT for the most effective performance, sir?
Mr. Luu Viet Tien: Customers need to regularly notify the progress of the construction of the plant, the power grid, the time of testing and commissioning of the plant and the power grid. It is planned to coordinate and agree on the solution of a power outage for construction and energizing connection points; properly perform the responsibility for investment in the construction of the power grid according to the investment boundary; coordinate with EVNNPT to remove obstacles in the process of implementing construction investment of both parties; comply with the requirements on connecting the power plant to the transmission grid and operating the transmission power system as specified in Circular No. 25/2016/TT-BCT.
PV: Thank you, sir!