Accelerating progress of projects under the revised Power Development Plan VIII

Member of Dong Nai Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Kim Long chairs the meeting at Dong Nai venue. Photo: Hoang Loc

Reporting at the conference, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that in recent times, the ministry has directed Vietnam Electricity Group and localities to focus on implementing power source and grid projects, ensuring they are put into operation as scheduled. At the same time, the ministry has also organized many meetings and sent working delegations to urge and inspect the progress of project implementation.

However, the investment in power source and grid projects under the plan remains slow, posing risks to national energy security. Grid connections for electricity import projects from Laos to Northern provinces have not been implemented in a synchronous manner. In addition, many projects in the revised Power Development Plan VIII still face obstacles related to planning procedures, approval of investment policies, investor selection, and compensation and site clearance.

At the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that ensuring national energy security and sustainable electricity supply for socio-economic development is a top priority. In 2023, Vietnam experienced widespread power supply disruptions, which severely affected production, consumption, and created concerns among investors. Over the past two years, thanks to the drastic direction of the Party Central Committee and the Government, the power supply situation has been stable, but energy security challenges remain significant.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, many large projects already added in the revised Power Development Plan VIII still lack investors, while the development of green and clean energy remains limited. Therefore, the Government leader requested ministries, sectors, energy corporations, and localities to clearly identify existing problems and causes in order to implement timely solutions, ensuring projects are carried out on schedule. This will help secure electricity for production and consumption, while creating an advantage in attracting high-tech industrial investment, particularly in the semiconductor sector.

The Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants are among two key national power source projects under implementation in Dong Nai province. Photo: Hoang Loc

In Dong Nai, according to Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Kim Long, the province is formulating an adjustment to the provincial master plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, which fully incorporates projects under the revised Power Development Plan VIII. Local communes and wards are also reviewing and adjusting land use and construction plans to supplement power projects as a basis for implementation.

Regarding the revised Power Development Plan VIII, Dong Nai has two power source projects (the expanded Tri An hydropower plant and Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants) and 12 transmission grid projects under implementation. In recent times, the Provincial People’s Committee has directed units to accelerate compensation, site clearance, and resolve difficulties for investors and contractors. However, progress remains slow as newly established communes have not yet set up Compensation Councils, while regulations on coordination in compensation and site clearance have not been issued.

In the coming period, the Provincial People’s Committee will continue to direct Dong Nai Power Company to ensure safe and continuous power supply to serve the province’s socio-economic development. At the same time, it will request relevant departments, sectors, units, and localities to remove obstacles so that power source and grid projects can be completed and put into use as soon as possible.

By: Hoang Loc

Translated by: M.Nguyet-Thu Ha