Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Duc - Deputy General Director of EVNSPC
Reporter: What are the most outstanding outcomes of the rural electrification program performed by EVNSPC over the past 10 years, Sir?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Duc: Identifying the power supply to rural areas as one of the key programs, since 1996, EVNSPC has mobilized and prioritized all resources for this task. With the support by local authorities and people, from just nearly 35% of households in 21 Southern provinces supplied with power (at the end of 1996), up to now, EVNSPC has supplied power to 100% communes, with 99.62% of households in 21 Southern provinces, cities. Of which, several provinces have been supplied power to 100% of the villages, hamlets, including Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, etc.
The investment in power supply and reception to ensure power supply for island districts is one of the most outstanding achievements in EVNSPC’s rural electrification work over the past time. These island districts include Phu Quoc, Kien Hai, Lai Son (Kien Giang), Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), Phu Quy (Binh Thuan), Truong Sa (Khanh Hoa), etc. The power grid has contributed to promoting the island marine economy and ensuring national security and defense.
During the period 2000 - 2013, EVNSPC completed the acceptance of low-voltage power works in 876 communes, directly sold power to more than 1.2 million rural households, ensured the purchasing power prices as regulated by the State and providing sufficient services of the Power sector for people.
Reporter: In order to successfully implement projects of power supply to rural areas, what are difficulties that EVNSPC has faced?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Duc: It can be said that capital is the most difficult problem of all, because all these projects have high investment rate; particularly projects to supply power to remote, border and island areas.
However, along with the capital arranged by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam Electricity, People’s Committees of provinces and cities, EVNSPC has prioritized its own capital sources, capital from commercial loans, ODA loans, etc., for electrification projects.
During the implementation process, the Corporation has also practised saving in investment and calculation, so as for the same source of capital to be invested in power supply for as many households as possible.
Additionally, the spreading area, rural topography including mountains, hills to islands and interlacing river systems are also major obstacles to the investment in the construction of power works. The Corporation and contractors have closely coordinated to timely “solve” difficulties and obstacles enabling projects to meet their progress and promote efficiency, as well.
Soc Trang electricians propagandizing and guiding households newly supplied power on safe and effective use of power
Reporter: The goal set by the Government is that most rural households will access to power by 2020. Do you think this is a “difficult problem” for EVNSPC, Sir?
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Duc: It is true that EVNSPC is facing a significant challenge in balancing and seeking for capital. Capital need for projects under the Program 2081 from now to 2020 is so high because of high investment rate, and limitation in budget.
In addition to supply power to remote areas, EVNSPC shall also seek for capital to improve rural power grid in a manner to meet Criterion No. 4 of standards under new rural developing program.
EVNSPC has been mobilizing the variety of solutions; closely coordinating with the ministries, branches and localities in mobilizing capital to determine the removal of the “lack-of-power area”, improvement of power quality in rural areas and proper completion of its “rural electrification” in the coming period.
Reporter: Yes, thank you so much!