Nation needs more power lines

Hanoi (VNA) - An insufficient number of power lines could lead to an electricity shortage, said Pham Le Thanh, director of Electricity of Vietnam.

Thanh said there are now 13,000 transformers, and the current capacity of power
plants reach 15,000MW, a figure which would need to be increased by another 2,000
transformers and additional power line.

EVN's warning means that current plants have used up all of their transmission
capacities on the national grid, and without a new and upgraded cable system, the
electricity companies would generate more electricity which would then not be
transmitted to the consumers who, as a result, would suffer shortages.

"There is an imbalance between power resources and the capacity of the national
grid. We will have more electricity during this year through 2010; however, we
cannot boost the capacity of the grid," said EVN director, thinking that his group
could not presently transmit the new electricity resources.

Vu Huu Hoa, director of the National Power Transmission Corporation, agreed that
there are insufficient power lines, especially in the northern areas of Vietnam
.

EVN plans to have between 10 and 15 thermal power plants power plants operating by
2025, making the matter even more complicated, said Hoa.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Huu Hao thought that EVN should build
multi-storey lines to better serve higher demand. Hao also suggested hiring
consultants to check the lines.

Last year EVN established the National Power Transmission Corporation to invest in
the national grid and power lines; however, corporation director Vu Huu Hoa said
that it faced difficulties getting loans without the support of EVN due to its
relative newness.

Meanwhile, Hoa estimated that they would need 125 trillion VND to boost national
grid capacity by 2015.-Enditem