Hanoi (VNA) - ♈A representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that in May, electricity production was estimated at 20,298.2 million kWh, up 10.5 percent over the same period.

Generally for the first 5 months of 2019, the electricity output was estimated at 89,865.7 million kWh, up 10.3 percent over the same period in 2018. In particular, the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) provided about 42,726 million kWh, an increase of 12.2 percent, other units of EVN, 47.726 million kWh, an increase of 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Notably, electricity imported from China in May was 225 million kWh and after 5 months it was 1.258 million kWh, up 16.7 percent over the same period last year. Also in the first 5 months of the year, due to the impact of extreme weather, high demand for electricity consumption, the total national electricity system output was about 95.72 billion kWh, an increase of 10.55 percent over the same period last year. The maximum consumption volume reached a record of 759.2 million kWh (May 18). The national electricity system also recorded unprecedented high data on maximum capacity on May 20, reaching 36,945 MW, an increase of 12 percent over the same period in 2018. It is forecast that the second quarter is the peak time of the dry season and the most stressful time of the year to ensure the supply of electricity throughout the system, so the electricity industry has set a goal to ensure safe and stable operation, meeting the electricity demand for production and consumption. Accordingly, the coal and gas turbine along with thermal sources will continue to be exploited, at the same time with the hydropower reservoirs according to the regulation chart, ensuring water supply for downstream and stable operation of the units for example: coal powered power plants, especially thermal power plants Vinh Tan 2, Vinh Tan 4, Duyen Hai 1 and Duyen Hai 3. EVN also requests its member units to strengthen the operation management, ensure the line corridor, ensure safe and reliable operation of the transmission grid, ensure the continuous high transmission in the dry season, especially the 500 kV North - South transmission system. In Hanoi, the City Electricity Corporation has strengthened its forces and made a schedule to ensure the supply of electricity for the National Assembly and the National High School Exam. In important locations, there are 2 sources of power or generators, backup devices. At the same time, to fully prepare and quickly handle the situation. Vietnam plans to purchase more electricity from China and Laos in the coming years as the domestic power supply is running out, an official has said. Vietnam imports about 1,000MW of power from China and Laos annually. Electricity imports from these two countries are expected to reach 3,000MW by 2025 and 5,000MW by 2030, he said, explaining that the domestic power supply is running out. Meanwhile, many power projects are lagging behind schedule. Almost all big- and medium-sized hydropower sources have been used, and there remain only a few small ones for exploitation. Therefore, hydropower will account for only 12.4 percent of all electricity supply by 2030. That will add a further complication to the supply shortage, according to the authority. Power supply sources that can be put into use between 2016 and 2030 have total capacity of about 78,300MW, more than 17,500MW lower than the expected figure in a revised national electricity development plan. Most of the shortage will fall in 2018-2022. In particular, electricity reserves will be almost used up in 2018 and 2019, and power shortages will occur from 2021 to 2025, the workshop heard.

- Power generation in first five months of 2019: