The Vietnam Energy Association (VEA) proposed regulation changes that would lessen power contracts granted to inefficient Chinese companies.
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| Power project delays blamed on inefficient contractors |
On October 27 VEA made some suggestions about choosing contractors for national power projects. These were made after a survey that showed the majority of power projects from Power Development Master Plan VI were behind track from anywhere between 1 to 3 years.
A number were cited as examples, including two thermal power plants, Haiphong 1 and Hai Phong 2. These, along with others, were shown as typical of the state of such projects.
According to EVA, projects undertaken by Chinese contractors often face long delays, or even standstills, due to a lack of expertise. These endeavours also suffer from out-of-date technology, which, in turn, causes technical problems.
As a result, EVA proposed extra regulations on contract bidding, so that local investors, especially those who use state funds, would select contractors with the technology and expertise needed to complete the project.
The problem, according to some, is that investors for important works are allowed to choose the cheapest bidders, irrespective of their ability to complete the project.
"If we don\'t make quick and drastic amendments to the Law on Bidding, qualified engineers and technicians and firms in Vietnam will remain unable to keep up with the world and maintain our own infrastructure," EVA noted.
