Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn speaks at an online conference on the project to adjust Power Plan VIII on February 23. — VNA/VNS Photo Hải Minh

HÀ NỘI — Power Plan VIII must be adjusted to create a long-term, effective and sustainable vision, said Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn, at an online conference on the project to adjust Power Plan VIII on Sunday.

Deputy PM Sơn stressed that the project must maximise local advantages, go hand in hand with protecting environmental resources, transform the economic model, ensure national energy security, link the power grid with neighbouring countries and achieve the net-zero goal by 2050.

Emphasising the need to adjust this plan, Deputy PM Sơn said that Power Plan VIII is implemented on the basis of the country setting a higher growth target at eight per cent in 2025 and double-digit growth in the period 2026-30, along with restarting the Ninh Thuận Nuclear Power Plant project.

The Deputy PM said that the international geopolitical situation continued to develop in a complicated way, affecting electricity prices. The development of science and technology, especially the cost of energy storage systems, has decreased rapidly, creating favourable conditions for the development of the renewable energy industry and integration into the national electricity system.

In addition, Deputy PM Sơn said that Power Plan VIII has revealed many shortcomings such as a lack of balance, especially in the northern region, a lack of inter-regional and inter-national transmission planning solutions and the identification of power sources does not ensure feasibility.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Institute of Energy (consulting unit) must confirm the basis for calculating and adjusting Electricity Plan VIII to ensure the highest feasibility, especially solving the situation of electricity shortage from now to 2030, first of all, the period 2026-28.

Deputy PM Sơn asked the MoIT to rapidly develop a list of emergency electricity projects and submit them to competent authorities for review and approval according to regulations to ensure electricity supply for the period 2026-30.

In addition, the Deputy PM also suggested prioritising the development of power sources with quick construction times to put into use, calculating the development of other flexible sources, battery storage systems and open electricity imports to ensure the highest national energy security.

The MoIT is requested to regularly review, promptly adjust, or advise competent authorities to adjust legal documents related to mechanisms and policies for the development of power projects and works during the planning and implementation process.

Deputy PM Sơn assigned MoIT to immediately establish a working group to support and coordinate with localities, groups and corporations to effectively implement the Adjusted Electricity Plan VIII as well as have electricity-saving measures during the implementation of the plan.

The MoIT needs to clarify the orientation for offshore wind power development; develop LNG plants and power clusters with large capacity to optimise shared infrastructure; clarify the feasibility and effectiveness in developing energy storage systems; review and have solutions for coal power projects that are behind schedule and have difficulty changing shareholders and arranging capital.

The MoIT should also evaluate the suitability of land use plans when adding 500KWh power lines, especially in the North Central and Central regions where the terrain is narrow, research new technology to build transmission lines and have a suitable connection line plan for importing electricity for each stage.

The Deputy PM requested localities to coordinate closely with the MoIT in the process of developing and implementing the Adjusted Power Plan VIII implementation plan and review and promptly adjust the power supply network development plan in the province's planning to ensure synchronisation with the content of the adjusted Power Plan VIII.

The provincial People's Committees should direct local agencies and units to support investors in the process of implementing works and projects in the area to ensure timely progress.

Corporations, especially Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV), Vietnam National Industry and Energy Group (Petrovietnam) are requested to coordinate closely with the MoIT in the process of building and implementing the plan for implementing the adjusted Power Plan VIII, especially in the process of building the list of emergency power projects and the list of power projects assigned to State-owned enterprises to implement. — VNS