The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) on August 4 released a report about the production and supply of power in the first seven months of the year.
The merchandise electricity in July 2009 increased by 13.64 percent from that in July 2008, estimated at 6.533 billion KWH. Of this amount, the power provided for production increased by 12.84 percent, while the power provided for household consumption increased by 14.34 percent in comparison with the same period of last year.
As such, the demand for power has increased again after a decrease in supply in the first quarter of 2009.
The total merchandise electricity output in the first seven months of the year was estimated to reach 41.068 billion KWH, an increase of 8.83 percent over the same period of 2008. Of this amount, electricity provided for production increased by 5.57 percent, or 49.09 percent of total, while the electricity provided for household consumption increased by 12.08 percent over the same period of 2008, accounting for 41.16 percent of total electricity output.
As the demand for power has been increasing again from the production sector, nine power plants have provided electricity for the national grid recently, having eased the electricity shortage, which was very serious in 2008.
The electricity output provided by hydropower plants is profuse as the water at water reservoirs is now at high levels, higher than the average levels of many previous years. Therefore, hydropower plants in all north, south and central regions are now able to run at full capacity.
Gas sources, including Cuu Long, Nam Con Son and PM3, have been providing gas stably to run power plants. The volume of gas provided only decreased on three days in July, when PM3 provided 1.8 million cubic metres per day, while the normal volume is 4.5-4.8 million cubic metre per day.
EVN has predicted that additional electricity charges will not increase sharply in August, it is more likely the month will see the same increase as in July. EVN has forecast the daily electricity output at 250 million KWH per day in August, while the peak capacity is expected to reach 13,800-14,100 MW.
EVN said that measures will be carried out to ensure enough electricity for the national economy and household consumption. The water level at Hoa Binh water reservoir will be kept at the highest possible level in order to raise the usable capacity of the hydropower plant and prepare water for the next dry season.
EVN said that it will consider purchasing electricity from China if necessary. Vietnam has purchased 2.195 billion KWH so far from China.