HÀ NỘI – Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Định Dũng asked for sufficient electricity for development and daily life by any means necessary while chairing a conference on coal supply for power production in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

Dũng witnessed the signing of a contract on long-term coal supply for Thái Bình Thermo-power Plant between the Việt Nam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) and the Việt Nam Electricity (EVN).

On behalf of the Government, the Deputy PM said he appreciated efforts made by the two corporations to take the initiative in seeking long-term co-operation to ensure there is enough electricity to serve demand and production development.

He noted that hydro-power and thermo-power are the two main sources of electricity in the country, with hydro-power meeting only 30 per cent of demand.

The demand for thermo-power, from coal, remains huge, Dũng stated, stressing the need to develop thermal power with modern and environmentally friendly technologies.

To provide enough coal for thermal power plants, the Deputy PM urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade to quickly approve a plan on coal supply for coal-fired thermal power plants, and to map out a master plan on meeting coal demand.

The ministry was also asked to work with the Ministry of Science and Technology and EVN to consider the use of a mix of domestic and imported coal.

Dũng urged Vinacomin and Đông Bắc Corporation to sign contracts with EVN and other coal-consuming partners on coal trading for 2019.

According to EVN statistics, total electricity output will reach 232.5 billion kWh in 2019, half of which will be generated by coal-fired thermal power plants. — VNS