Low rainfall impacting energy providers

Hydropower lakes across Vietnam are short on water although the peak rain season has come and gone.

Many hydropower plants are likely to halt operations in dry season because of water shortfall.

According to a new report from the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, lakes in Vietnam have less water than usual at this time of year.

This year’s measured rainfall is down 30%-40% from the same period in previous years. The 2010 rain season lasts until the end of October however, expected levels of water reserves for power companies are very unlikely to be reached.

The report indicated that the water level of Hoa Binh Lake stood at 99.72m on September 13 and was 1 metre lower than last week and 10 metres lower than this time in 2009. The level was measured at 103.49m at Tuyen Quang Lake, 2 metres lower than from a year earlier on the same day.

The situation is worse in the central and southern region where the water-levels of many lakes used for hydropower are below operable, including Ba Ha River Lake, Ham Thuan Lake and the lake of Tri An Hydropower Plant.

Currently, the water level at the lake of Ia Ly Hydropower Plant in Central Highlands, Kon Tum province, stands at just 496.5m against the operable level of 490m, much lower than a year ago.

“The lake of Pleikrong Hydropower Plant has neared the operable level, which has reduced half of the plant’s designed capacity. The firm fulfilled only 50% of the set goal for its electricity output in August,” said Director Ta Van Luan said.

Former Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, Nguyen Lan Chau said, “The current limited water amount hinders operations of hydropower plants, resulting in difficulties in power generation in the next dry season. Even the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) Group has reserved water earlier than previous years.”

“In addition to the limited rainfall during the peak season, the regulation of China’s upstream hydropower plants has also pushed the flow towards Vietnam into its lowest levels,” Lan Chau explained.

She also added that a decline in forest area, particularly primitive and protected ones in Vietnam, major contributors to the lowered water levels.