Mr. Ngo Son Hai - Deputy General Director of EVN
Reporter: Can you tell us how Vietnam and Laos have cooperated in the energy sector, especially in power purchase activities between Vietnam and Laos? What outstanding results have been achieved in recent years?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Laos signed on 5 October 2016, the total capacity of electricity imported from Laos to Vietnam at least 3,000MW by 2025 and 5,000MW by 2030. In the past time, EVN has worked with power project investors in Laos and signed 18 power purchase agreements with a total capacity of 2,180MW (including hydropower and wind power project forms).
Currently, EVN is also coordinating with the power project investor in Laos to submit to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), then the MoIT to submit to the Prime Minister for approval of the policy of increasing imported power sources from Laos to meet the demand of Vietnam's power system in the coming time, according to the orientation of the Governments of the two countries.
Besides purchasing power from power plants in Laos, EVN also invests in building a medium and low-voltage grid system to supply and purchase power for socio-economic development in localities along the Vietnam- Laos border of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The power supply is always maintained by EVN in a stable, safe and quality manner.
Reporter: Could you please tell me what is the meaning of energy cooperation and power purchase for Vietnam and Laos?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: The energy cooperation between Vietnam and Laos comes from the practical needs of the two countries. While Laos has great potential in the energy field, especially hydropower, the load demand of Laos is low, so the power project investors in Laos want to sell electricity to Vietnam. On the Vietnamese side, EVN assesses that the power import from Laos in the coming years is one of the effective solutions to help ensure the security of power supply, especially power sources imported from Laos directly to the North contribute to reducing the output shortage in the Northern region.
Chairman of the EVN Member Board Duong Quang Thanh (standing on the left) signed the cooperation agreement in the presence of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and General Secretary cum President Thongloun Sisoulith, August 2021. Photo: TTXVN
Reporter: Can you tell us about the energy cooperation plan and roadmap, especially the power purchase between Laos and Vietnam in the near future?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: Currently, EVN has not participated in new power project investment in Laos but only invested in power grid projects in Vietnam territory to serve the power import and capacity release for power imported projects from Laos.
For the power import from Laos to be economically and technically effective, in the coming time, EVN will continue to propose to the MoIT and the Prime Minister to work with Laos Government agencies to consider the Laos power import master plan for each period according to the roadmap agreed by the two Governments of Vietnam and Laos.
Reporter: Recently, a delegation of the Department of Energy Industrial Safety Management (DESM) under the Ministry of Energy and Mine (Laos) came to Vietnam to visit and learn from experience and hoped that Vietnam would support training in hydropower operation, dam safety, downstream flood maps construction, etc., what do you think about this proposal?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: The construction, acceptance and put into operation of hydropower plants need strict procedures and regulations, not only to ensure safe, stable and reliable operation of the plant but must also to ensure the living of people in the project area, environmental safety and many other factors.
With the experience that EVN and its units as well as electricity consulting companies, hydropower companies in investment, construction and operation of hydropower plant projects, EVN is very willing to share and exchange experiences with the DESM, Laos government agencies, power project investing enterprises in Laos to contribute to improving capacity and qualifications of employees, perfecting the legal basis, building and strengthening measures to ensure the safe, stable and reliable operation of the plants. Thereby also contributing to the completion of the coordination and operation process of hydropower plants and the Vietnam-Laos transnational power grid.
Xekaman 1-Pleiku 2 220kV transmission line transmits electricity from Laos to Vietnam
Reporter: What are the challenges in energy cooperation between Vietnam and Laos? To effectively implement cooperation, what recommendations does EVN have?
Mr. Ngo Son Hai: The energy cooperation of Vietnam - Laos will depend a lot on the development mechanisms, policies and orientations of the Governments of the two countries. EVN has also proposed to the MoIT to submit to the Government for promulgation the power importing tariffs from Laos to Vietnam in the period after 2025 for all types of power sources, as a basis for power project investors in Laos to invest in projects and sell electricity to EVN. EVN respectfully suggests the MoIT coordinate with agencies in Laos to set orientations on developing the power grid connecting the two countries to enhance the power exchange between the two countries.
Reporter: Thank you, Sir!