HCMC – Coal-fired power plants are at risk of having no enough coal to generate electricity, according to Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN).
EVN expressed its concerns in a document sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade regarding the operation of the new Thai Binh 2 Thermal Power Plant.
According to the State utility, the short supply of coal for thermo-power stations last year adversely affected power supply.
The coal supply by the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) and the DongBac Corporation for the Thai Binh Thermal Power Plant last year was not stable, especially in the fourth quarter. In November and December, the plant had a mere 10,000 tons of coal available, which was sufficient for its two-day operations.
The strong demand for coal for power production this year, together with the high price of imported coal, directly impacts the operations of thermal power plants using imported coal, such as Vinh Tan 4.
The total amount of coal supplied by Vinacomin and DongBac Corporation for generating electricity is estimated at 46 million tons this year, of which EVN’s thermal power plants need nearly 18 million tons.
To secure a stable volume of coal for electricity generation this year, especially for the dry season, EVN has proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade direct Vinacomin and DongBac Corporation to prioritize using coal for power production.
