HCMC – Speaking at a conference on January 12 to review the Vietnam Electricity Group’s (EVN) performance in 2020 and discuss its plans for this year, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung told EVN and the relevant agencies to prevent the abuse of policies in developing rooftop solar power projects.
The deputy prime minister urged EVN and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to work out criteria for the development of rooftop solar power amid the mushrooming of these projects over the past few years, the local media reported.
He also hailed EVN for its achievements, saying that despite difficulties, EVN had managed to ensure the adequate supply of electricity for the socioeconomic development and daily lives of locals.
EVN and its subsidiaries have reached a power capacity of over 29,600 megawatts, accounting for 43% of the total capacity of the country’s power system.
In addition, EVN exempted and reduced electricity bills worth nearly VND12.3 trillion for customers.
Deputy PM Dung also pointed out the obstacles facing EVN. Specifically, policies for the power sector’s development are rife with shortcomings. The demand for environmental protection is increasing, while the technologies of some plants are outdated.
The development of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, will challenge the safety and effectiveness of the national grid. In addition, the investment needed for the electricity sector’s development is high but the capital mobilization is tough.
Local materials for electricity generation, such as coal and biogas, are becoming exhausted, while the demand for power development is increasingly high, Deputy PM Dung added.
In the coming time, EVN must ensure the power security and the sufficient supply of electricity at reasonable prices, improving the lives of local residents and contributing to protecting the environment.
In addition, it was assigned to accelerate the development of a competitive, transparent and effective electricity retail market, exploit and effectively use domestic energy resources and import and export energy appropriately.
Deputy PM Dung also required EVN to coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to complete the National Power Development Planning VIII, of which it should determine specific capacities for periods, prioritize clean energy and pay more attention to the development of power transmission lines.
Moreover, he stressed the need to ease the overload on some transmission lines and at some transformer stations.
The energy sector should apply the smart grid model and advanced technology to modernize the national power grid to effectively tap all power resources.
