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Electricity growth in Dong Nai and the Southern region exceeds forecasts

(News Portal – Dong Nai) - The demand for electricity in the South during the early months of the year has exceeded the forecast scenario by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This year, the electricity sector ensures a stable supply of electricity for the region. However, from 2025 onwards, there will be increased tension due to a lack of new power projects, slow development of the power grid and substations due to planning and land issues. 

During a recent meeting with the Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan, Deputy General Director of Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC), shared his thoughts on this issue. 

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Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang during the meeting with Vietnam Electricity 

Exceeding forecasts by over 3%
Based on the monitoring of the first three months, electricity growth in the Southern region is higher than the forecast scenario by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as higher than the national average. Specifically, the growth rate of the region is 12.6% compared to the same period in 2023, while the forecast scenario and the actual growth rate nationwide are 9%.

In the 5 out of 21 major electricity-consuming localities in the region, namely Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Long An, and Tay Ninh, all have growth rates above 10%. Notably, residential and commercial electricity consumption, as well as electricity for restaurants, hotels, and services, have all increased by over 15%. Although the growth rate of electricity for industrial production and construction is lower (around 10%), it accounts for about 60% of the electricity output, thus pushing the overall growth rate higher. This poses pressure on electricity supply compared to other regions. 

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Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan, Deputy General Director of Southern Power Corporation 

For example, Dong Nai consumes about 14 billion kWh of electricity per year. If the growth rate reaches 10%, it will be equivalent to the total annual electricity output of three provinces: Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and Lao Cai.
To ensure electricity supply for the region and the country in 2024, Vietnam Electricity and the National Load Dispatch Center have made meticulous preparations since the end of the previous year. In terms of power sources, proactive water storage is implemented in large hydroelectric reservoirs to ensure water supply for daily life, irrigation, and electricity generation. The thermal power plants are required to prepare coal, oil, and gas to ensure electricity supply under different growth scenarios. In terms of transmission grids, repair, maintenance, and construction of new facilities are carried out to ensure safe and efficient electricity operation.

EVNSPC, in particular, is closely monitoring the growth of electricity demand and the specific needs of each locality in order to take timely measures. The priority solution is to invest in the construction of essential infrastructure to put 110kV, medium voltage, and low voltage facilities into operation. Collaboration with local authorities is also being carried out to implement energy-saving measures. It can be affirmed that EVNSPC will ensure the supply for the localities with a growth rate of over 10% this year. 

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Long Thanh Electricity's employees inspected a transformer station ​

The need to enhance electricity saving
One of the solutions to ensure energy security is electricity saving, following the spirit of Directive No. 20/CT-TTg dated May 7, 2020, by the Prime Minister. Especially, considering that there are very few large-capacity power projects scheduled to operate in the southern region from now until 2025 (with only expectations for the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 power plants in Dong Nai), the construction of power grid and transformer stations is progressing slowly due to planning and land clearance issues.

Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan stated that EVNSPC is coordinating with 21 provinces to implement energy-saving measures according to the Prime Minister's directive. Each target group will have suitable solutions and energy-saving quotas based on the actual situation. For example, public lighting can apply a 50% reduction in case of high electricity growth; establishments with significant energy consumption (consuming over 1 million kWh/year) must undergo energy auditing and implement at least 2% energy saving.

For instance, if Dong Nai implements a 50% reduction in public lighting, it will save 18 million kWh per year. Saving 2% of electricity for production will save approximately 300 million kWh, equivalent to a year's electricity consumption in a mountainous province.

According to Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan, one of the major obstacles in ensuring energy security is the slow implementation of projects. These are infrastructure projects that not only ensure national energy security but also meet the requirements of economic and social development and the daily lives of people in the areas where the projects are located. Recently, many essential construction projects in the electricity sector have encountered difficulties in investment approval procedures, land clearance, encroachment, or deviations from planning.

"For example, the Giang Dien 110kV power project has been left incomplete for 7-8 years. The power supply for industrial production in the industrial zone was affected, and the nearby power transmission system had to bear additional loads," shared Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan.

EVNSPC has recommended that the provincial authorities, departments, and local agencies promptly resolve these obstacles and issue guidelines for the investment proposal process, direct the issuance of compensation rates, and support land clearance to ensure the projects are implemented on schedule. The province is also urged to include electricity projects in land use planning, construction planning, and land use planning maps for easy implementation. 

Author: Phan Anh

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