>> Warning: power shortages during dry season
>> EVN says higher power prices inevitable
>> Steel companies accused of exploiting Vietnam’s electricity prices
Despite possible power shortages and even blackouts this year, Vietnam will give priority to the steel and cement industries.
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The decision came after the Ministry of Industry and Trade said the national power supply for this year will not meet rising demand. The expected shortages will be a result of rising demand in the face of lower hydroelectricity output, stagnant power plant projects and the prolonged drought.
In order to minimise impacts of blackouts to the economy, the ministry requested the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA), Vietnam Steel Corporation and Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation take necessary precautions and heighten efficiency.
These institutions were also told to improve their production and maintenance plans to reduce power consumption during the dry season, particularly from March to June. During this season, the country will likely face serious power shortages.
According to the ministry’s Department of Industry, last year Vietnam’s power output reached 85.7 billion kWh, up by 14.5% from a year earlier. As many as 12.04% of this, or 10.19 billion kWh, went to the steel and cement industries. This figure is up 27.5% compared to 2009.
The state-owned Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN), the country’s sole electricity distributor, forecasts the nation will face power shortages of around two billion kWh in 2011.
