According to the National Power System Moderation Center (Ao), in order for safe operation, the power system needs to limit the power output in peak hours in the morning (from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: about 600 – 1000 MW), and in peak hours in the afternoon (from 17 p.m. to 19 p.m.: about 1,400 – 1,600 MW) from now to the end of December 2007.
As estimated by the National Power System Moderation Center (Ao), the water level of reservoirs is declining due to the decreased water inflows. Whereas, units are required to continuously operate so as to meet the payload demand which is escalating in the mean time and the forth coming dry season.
At present, the average power demand is recorded at about 197 million kWh/day and is anticipated to increase to 205 million kWh/day in the coming time. The current available capacity of the power system does not sufficiently satisfy the power demand in rush hours.
In an effort to safely operate, the power system must restrain the power output in peak hours in the morning (from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: about 600 – 1000 MW), and in peak hours in the afternoon (from 17 p.m. to 19 p.m.: about 1,400 – 1,600 MW) from now to the end of December 2007.
Mr. Tran Quoc Anh, the Vice President of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), said that the reason for the power shortage in this period was partly resulted from problems of power generation of several main generation projects such as Phu My 3, Phu My 2.2, etc. which had not been cleared yet. The progress rate of new generation projects was slow. For example, Uong Bi Thermal Power Company Extension with the capacity of 300 MW was unstably operating because it was being adjusted, and the single cycle of Ca Mau Thermal Power Company No.1 with the capacity of 500 MW was being separated from the system to assemble the combined cycle.
In the present difficult situation, EVN has best mobilized coal-fired power generations and gas turbines, and has imported more power from China and high price generations like FO oil-fired thermal power, DO oil-gas turbine and so on in order to effectively meet the needs of power for socio-economic development and the population’s consumption.
Kim Anh