The Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has called for electricity conservation as some of its thermal power plants are facing difficulties due to the drop in coal production because of flooding in Quang Ninh Province.
Many coal companies in Quang Ninh face big losses after the big flooding.
EVN said that, from July 25 to July 30, Quang Ninh Province was the target of torrential rain and the worst flooding in 40 years.
Landslides and flooding cut access to coal mines in Cam Pha and Hon Gai, which affected supply to Coastal Thermal Power Plant No. 1 and Vinh Tan Thermal Power Plant No. 2.
Coal-fired plants of EVN only have enough coal to operate for about five days, although the Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant has a 20-day stockpile.
In the next days, the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (VINACOMIN) will focus on opening roads in Hon Gai and Cam Pha, with a focus on Coastal Thermal Power Plant No. 1 and Vinh Tan Thermal Power Plant No. 2.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade urged Vinacomin and EVN to boost electricity generation from all hydropower and power plants nationwide to ensure uninterrupted supply.
The Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) said on July 29 the torrential rains in Quang Ninh, Vietnam's kingdom of coal, caused losses of about VND500bn for the group. Most of the coal mines have halted production.
