Vietnam forced to import coal by 2013

Hanoi (VNA) - In an effort to meet domestic demand for coal, Vietnam will have to start importing coal in 2013, according to the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin).

The volume of imported coal is calculated to reach 34 million tonnes in
2015, 114 million tonnes in 2020 and 228 million tonnes in 2025.
The demand for electricity is expected to increase by 17-20
percent per year and thermal power plants will need more imported coal.

Demand for coal in power production is estimated to hit 32.5 million
tonnes in 2013 and 44 million tonnes in 2015.

In the 2012-17 period, the domestic coal supply will be short about 11
million tonnes of coal each year.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, industrial coal is being
used inefficiently by the plants' out-of-date engines.

It's necessary for thermoelectricity plants to improve their technology to
limit the waste of coal, said Tran Xuan Hoa, general director of Vinacomin.

The rising demand for coal and increasing world prices have created
disadvantages for Vietnam , he added.

"We are trying to seek coal sources abroad for import, but it's very
difficult since most large coal mines in those countries are already owned,"
said Hoa.

Currently, the domestic coal output stands at 40 million tonnes, of which
50 percent goes to meet domestic demands and the rest is marked for
export.-Enditem