Hydropower plants stop electricity generation due to lack of water

Several hydropower plants in the northern region have suspended generating electricity due to the shortage of water amid massive power outages.

Seven large dams in the north including Son La, Lai Chau, Huoi Quang, Thac Ba, Tuyen Quang, Ban Ve and Hua Na had reached dead storage levels, forcing them to suspend generating power. Only Hoa Binh hydropower dam has water and could maintain power generation until June 13, said Tran Viet Hoa, director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. "The electricity supply situation in the north is facing major challenges because hydroelectricity accounts 43.6 percent of output," he said at a meeting on Wednesday. As of Tuesday, available capacity of hydroelectricity reached 3,110 MW, only 23.70 percent of installed capacity. The total available capacity of the northern power network is 17,500-17,900 MW, or just 59.30 percent of installed capacity while demand could increase to 23,500-24,000 MW due to the scorching heat. “The power network in the north faces the risk of shortages at most hours of the day,” said Hoa. The northern power grid will face a shortfall of about 4,350MW, resulting in the average daily deficit of 30.90 million kWh a day with the highest daily deficit reaching up to 50.80 million kWh. Many parts of the northern region have experienced massive power outages over the past days, affecting production and tourism. Tran Dinh Nhan, general director of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), said it has faced difficulties in supplying electricity to customers since mid-April. Nhan said the electricity supply in the northern region is still grappling with difficulties. “In order to maintain the safe operation of the national power grid in the context of high demand due to the ongoing heat wave, EVN called on residents to save electricity at certain periods of time and hoped customers understand this difficult situation,” Nhan said.