Vietnam-China Electricity Grid to Help Resolve Power Shortage
Vietnam-China Electricity Grid to Help Resolve Power Shortage
The Hekou-Lao Cai 110-kV grid of electricity transmission lines has been officially put into operation. The scheme, which was mapped out by the leaders of the nations within the Greater Mekong Sub-region, aims to expand the network of electricity transmission lines and boost energy trade. The measure of connecting electricity grids between Vietnam and China in the period of 2004-2008 is seen as a feasible solution to lessen the danger of power shortages across northern Vietnam.
At present, Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) is formulating the method of connecting grids between Vietnam's six northern border provinces of Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son and Quang Ninh and China's two provinces of Yunnan and Quangxi on the basis of assessing the power capacity Vietnam can purchase from China at 2004-2006 period. With regard to the 110-220 kV grid connection scheme, the provinces of Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Ha Giang (Vietnam) and Yunnan province (China) will follow three major directions namely Lao Cai (Vietnam)-Hekou (China's Honghe District); Phong Tho (Lai Chau)-Chin Pin (China's Honghe District) and Ha Giang (Vietnam)-Wen Shan (China's Wen Shan District). The linking of Lao Cai-Hekou electricity network bears high feasibility thanks to the two parties' 110 kV transmission line close to the border. China can supply Vietnam with an electricity output of 40 MW by 2004 and 70 MW by 2007 via 110 kV transmission line towards Hekou. The output can fully meet the electricity consumption demand in Lao Cai-Phong Tho. In 2008, a series of power plants of 58-MW Ngoi Bo, 56-MW Ngoi Phat, 77-MW Chu Linh-Coc San and 99-MW Na Le will be operational and connected to Lao Cai 110 kV electricity grid. At that time, Vietnam can buy power from China via Khai Quang-Hekou 220 kV transmission line with a capacity of 160 MW (in the case of electricity prices standing at 4 US cents per kWh). To receive such an output capacity from China in 2008, Vietnam needs to set up 25 km of one-circuit Lao Cai-Tang Loong and double-circuit Tang Loong-Yen Bai 220 kV transmission line.
According to the statistics from the National Moderation Centre, additional charge reduction nationwide was made 25 times between January and August 2003. In 2004, the EVN announced that the north maintains a shortage of power. Electricity is transmitted via a North-South 500 kV line from the South to make up for the deficiency. At the peak hours, the power capacity on the Pleiku-Danang 500 kV transmission line needs from 700 MW to 1,160 MW. The demand is forecast to reach 950-1,120 MW between June and December 2004. The installation of vertical capacitors to raise transmission capacity is failing to meet the pace of progress, which plunges the north into a shortage of 100-200 MW at peak times. The current capacity of 40 MW imported from Hekou will partly offset the deficiency. The Vietnam-China 220-110 kV grid connection will, therefore, help to relieve the severe shortage of power in northern Vietnam during 2004-2006. The move is also set to increase the safety in providing electricity for the northern border provinces where the power source is transmitted via a 110 kV line.
Vietnamese
