In pursuit of energy security, and economical and rational use of resources, Vietnam has officially imported coal for the first time in history after many years of accelerating exportation. Nearly 10,000 tonnes of coal imported from Indonesia have arrived in Cat Lai Port, Ho Chi Minh City.
Mr Vu Manh Hung, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) - the importer of the coal, said the import aims at national energy security as directed by the Prime Minister.
He explained that coal production in 2011 was still enough for domestic demand and the importation was unnecessary but the maiden batch was aimed at creating a new commercial coal channel for domestic production and drawing up experience for perfect coal importation in the future. Comparing with coal in Vietnam, the imported one has medium quality of heat (5,000 - 6,000 kcal per kilo). It will be sold to any users in need. The importation was also aimed at finding external sources of coal for national energy security as directed by the Prime Minister.
State-owned Vinacomin - the sole producer of coal in Vietnam - is capable of producing 55-60 million tonnes of coal in 2015, 67-72 million tonnes in 2020, and over 77 million tonnes in 2025. However, the supply for the domestic market is estimated to fall short of 5.8 million tonnes in 2015, 25 million tonnes in 2016 and 66 million tonnes in 2020.
Thus, Vietnam will import coal (about 6 million tonnes) from 2015 and the imported volume will increase gradually year after year, depending on operation of coal-fired power plants. However, under the direction of the Government, Vinacomin will limit and reduce coal to import less in the future, said Mr Hung.
In response to the question that how Vietnam can compete with other countries as it is quite late in coal import, Hung said Vietnam is now a net exporter of coal, mainly high-energy anthracite, hence its experience is surely far behind long-standing net importers like Japan, South Korea, India and China. Coal is mainly imported from Indonesia and Australia. But, this energy material will get scarcer by that time while Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are dominant importers of coal made in Australia and Indonesia. As a result, it is a daunting difficulty to negotiate a big imported volume. In general, to have a big and stable supply of imported coal from other nations, [Vietnam] necessarily has to purchase coal mines or hold stakes in coal companies in exporting nations.
To ensure smooth coal import, importers will have a good source of finance. Vinacomin and some other groups have prepared financial solutions and resources for coal import coal.
In the country, Vinacomin is stepping up investments in new coal mines. Khe Cham 3 is expected to start commercial operations in late 2014 or early 2015 with an annual output of 2.5 million tonnes. Nui Beo coal mine with expected annual output of 2 million tonnes is under construction. Khe Cham 2 and 4 mines are forecast to start operating in 2017 with a yearly production of 3.5 million tonnes. Coal reserves in Nga Hai Quang Hanh, Khanh Hoa and Red River Delta will also be exploited.
Huong Ly
Vietnamese
