The risk of electricity shortages may increase in 2025 because there are no new projects in operation, so Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) proposes to speed up the process of purchasing electricity from Laos.
Importing electricity from Laos to Vietnam via 220kV line Xekaman 1- Pleiku 2
Recently, EVN sent a request to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to complete the dossier on importing electricity from hydroelectric and wind power plants from Laos to Vietnam. Specifically, the import and connection of electricity from the Nam Mo hydroelectric plant cluster and Houay Kaouan hydroelectric plant.
Accordingly, in addition to importing electricity from China through 220kV lines with a capacity of about 550-800MW, EVN will import electricity from Laos according to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Laos. signed on October 5, 2016, the total minimum capacity by 2025 is 3,000MW and by 2030 is 5,000MW.
There are 4 factories in Laos selling electricity with a total capacity of nearly 250MW
As of August 2023, the Prime Minister has approved the policy of importing electricity from power sources in Laos with a total capacity of 2,689MW. Of these, EVN has signed 19 power purchase contracts (PPA) with investors to buy electricity from 26 power plants invested in Laos to sell electricity to Vietnam, with a total capacity of 2,240MW.
There have been 6 power plants approved by the Prime Minister to import electricity, with a total capacity of 449MW. However, with Nam Kong 1 (160MW) and Nam Mouan (100MW) hydropower plants, the investor has sent a document to EVN notifying them of not continuing to sell electricity. With the remaining 4 projects with a total capacity of 249MW, EVN has assigned the Power Trading Company to negotiate PPA.
According to EVN, negotiating the purchase and sale of electricity from Laos is of great significance. Especially by 2025, very few new power sources will be introduced, so during the peak dry season of 2025, power supply in the Northern region will be very difficult. Electricity capacity may be short of 3,632 MW and output short of about 6.8 billion kWh in May, June and July 2025.
Therefore, EVN believes that adding imported power sources from Laos (total capacity of 225.5MW) to the Northern region will contribute to enhancing the ability to ensure electricity supply in the North in 2024-2025 and other areas. The next year.
Prices are more competitive than domestically
Assessing economic efficiency, EVN said that in principle of electricity price for importing electricity from Laos to Vietnam, the ceiling price for this type of hydroelectric power plant is 6.95 Uscent/kWh. Thus, this price is lower and more competitive than domestic heat sources used. Specifically, gas electricity price is about 8.24 cents/kWh and coal electricity price ranges from 7.23-8.45 cents/kWh.
“Through the updated calculation of capacity and electricity balance until 2030, it shows that ensuring enough electricity supply for the Northern region in the coming years will be very difficult. Importing electricity from Laos helps enhance the ability to supply electricity, bringing economic, environmental and social benefits as well as enhancing exchange and cooperation between the two countries” – EVN stated the opinion.
Accordingly, this group requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to consider and submit to the Prime Minister the policy of importing with a total capacity of 225.5MW from the projects: South Chiane – 104MW, hydroelectric plant cluster in Nam Mo area and Hoauy Kaouan – 22.5MW.
Along with importing electricity from hydropower plants, EVN also proposed a connection plan to import electricity from the Savan 1 and 2 wind power plant cluster. Regarding this issue, the Ministry of Industry and Trade requested EVN to coordinate with The investor reviews and researches and proposes appropriate connection plans.
Specifically, the proposal to add additional lines connecting Savan 1 and 2 wind power plant clusters to the 500kV Huong Hoa substation and power grid projects serving temporary connection to the 220kV Lao Bao substation will be considered. considered simultaneously with the policy of importing electricity from the Savan 1 and 2 wind power plant cluster.
Assigning the investor to build the connection line will be carried out in accordance with the law on investment, once the policy of buying and selling electricity with foreign countries and adding related power grid projects to the planning has been approved. electricity development.
– source: Tuoi Tre Newspaper –
