"Relevant ministries and local authorities should start operation of the thermal power plants in the Mekong Delta, including Duyen Hai, Long Phu, Song Hau, Tan Phuoc, Long An, Bac Lieu and Vinh Tan, as soon as possible to cope with the serious shortage of electricity in the southern provinces," he said during a working visit to the Duyên Hai Thermal Centre in the Delta province of Tra Vinh on Thursday.
According to the Viet Nam Electricity Group's (EVN) projections, the southern region faces an electricity shortage of 10-15 per cent.
"In 2017 EVN will have to generate 5 billion kWh of electricity using diesel in the southern region, and 8.5 billion kWh in 2018-2019," EVN chairman Duong Quang Thanh said.
But with diesel power being twice as expensive as coal-generated power, the Government has had to compensate EVN for the losses.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quoc Hung said: "The southern region will receive electricity from the northern and central regions, 15 billion kWh in 2017 to 21 billion kWh in 2019."
However, since the total capacity of the transmission grid is only 18.5 billion kWh, the Vung Ang – Doc Soi – Pleiku 500kv grid needs to be built.
Deputy PM Dung said that developing thermal power was the most effective measure to ensure energy supply for provinces in the Mekong Delta.
To do this, Dung said it was necessary to push up construction of thermal plans in the Cuu Long (Mekong) to ensure that they operate on schedule and in ways that reduce use of oil at minimal level.
"Relevant ministries and local authorities must review hydropower generation to increase efficiency and protect the environment," Dung said.
He also instructed the ministries to fix the problems related to energy recycling and renewable energy projects, and agreed to import electricity from countries in the Mekong sub-region.
He instructed the Viet Nam National Coal Mineral Industries Group to carefully conduct an environmental impact study and safety plan for its proposed coal port to feed the Duyen Hai thermal plant.
"The consultancy company must work closely with local authorities. Experienced international consultants should be hired," he said.
In the meeting with Tra Vinh Province's leaders, the deputy PM said Tra Vinh would likely be a major important center for developing thermal power not only for the Mekong region but for the entire country.
Tra Vinh has special advantages to develop thermal power plants, so the province must be given priorities to develop the projects of this kind, according to Dung.
"For Tra Vinh, developing thermal power would not only help the province improve revenue for its provincial budget, but also ensure energy for the Mekong Delta and the southern region. In addition, the energy plants would also create employment for thousands of people in Trà Vinh and neighbouring provinces," Dung said. — VNS