HCM CITY — Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng has ordered agencies to quickly complete the thermal power plants being built in the Mekong Delta to meet increasing power demand in the southern region.

“Relevant ministries and local authorities should start operation of the thermal power plants in the Mekong Delta, including Duyên Hải, Long Phú, Sông Hậu, Tân Phước, Long An, Bạc Liêu and Vĩnh Tân, as soon as possible to cope with the serious shortage of electricity in the southern provinces,” he said during a working visit to the Duyên Hải Thermal Centre in the Delta province of Trà Vinh on Thursday.

According to the Việt Nam Electricity Group’s (EVN) projections, the southern region faces an electricity shortage of 10-15 per cent.

“In 2017 EVN will have to generate 5 billion kWh of electricity using diesel in the southern region, and 8.5 billion kWh in 2018-2019,” EVN chairman Dương Quang Thành said.

But with diesel power being twice as expensive as coal-generated power, the Government has had to compensate EVN for the losses.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quốc Hưng said: “The southern region will receive electricity from the northern and central regions, 15 billion kWh in 2017 to 21 billion kWh in 2019.”

However, since the total capacity of the transmission grid is only 18.5 billion kWh, the Vũng Áng – Dốc Sỏi – Pleiku 500kv grid needs to be built.

Deputy PM Dũng said that developing thermal power was the most effective measure to ensure energy supply for provinces in the Mekong Delta.

To do this, Dũng said it was necessary to push up construction of thermal plans in the Cửu Long (Mekong) to ensure that they operate on schedule and in ways that reduce use of oil at minimal level.

“Relevant ministries and local authorities must review hydropower generation to increase efficiency and protect the environment,” Dũng said.

He also instructed the ministries to fix the problems related to energy recycling and renewable energy projects, and agreed to import electricity from countries in the Mekong sub-region.

He instructed the Việt Nam National Coal Mineral Industries Group to carefully conduct an environmental impact study and safety plan for its proposed coal port to feed the Duyên Hải thermal plant.

“The consultancy company must work closely with local authorities. Experienced international consultants should be hired,” he said.

In the meeting with Trà Vinh Province’s leaders, the deputy PM said Trà Vinh would likely be a major important center for developing thermal power not only for the Mekong region but for the entire country. 

Trà Vinh has special advantages to develop thermal power plants, so the province must be given priorities to develop the projects of this kind, according to Dũng.

“For Trà Vinh, developing thermal power would not only help the province improve revenue for its provincial budget, but also ensure energy for the Mekong Delta and the southern region. In addition, the energy plants would also create employment for thousands of people in Trà Vinh and neighbouring provinces,” Dũng said. — VNS