Massive shovel trucks at work in the Tay Nam Da Mai Mine, Quang Ninh Province. It is estimated that Viet Nam will have to import 3 million tonnes to 4 million tonnes of coal in 2016, rising up to 35 million tonnes in 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo Trong Dat

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group has signed 10 memorandums of understanding (MoU) with foreign companies for an annual supply of about 20 million tonnes of coal.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said that the companies with whom the MoUs have been signed are from Indonesia, Australia and Japan.

The Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group also signed contracts with Australian firm Ensham Coal Sales and Peabody, Indonesian firm Tuah Turangga Agung and Japanese firm Sojitz Corporation, besides an MoU with Indonesian firm Noble Group, for the supply of a total 10 million tonnes of coal a year to meet the demand of its thermal power plants.

According to the National Power Master Plan VII for the period 2011-20 with a vision to 2030, thermal power will comprise a large portion of the country's power supply. Therefore, the demand for coal in power production will be high, while the domestic coal supply is not sufficient.

The ministry forecast that Viet Nam will have to import an estimated 3 million tonnes to 4 million tonnes of coal in 2016, 35 million tonnes in 2020 and 80 million tonnes in 2025, as well as 135 million tonnes in 2030, for producing electricity.

However, a large quantity of imported coal will be difficult to get because of unstable supply.

Viet Nam can import coal from four countries, namely Indonesia, Australia and Russia, besides South Africa. In August, 41,500 tonnes of Russian coal arrived at Hon Net Port in the north-eastern Quang Ninh Province. — VNS