Removing obstacles for key programs and projects in the energy sector.

Removing obstacles for key programs and projects in the energy sector.

The Government Office issued Notice No. 402/TB-VPCP summarizing the conclusions of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the third meeting of the State Steering Committee for important national programs, works, and projects in the energy sector.

The announcement stated: Recently, ministries, sectors, provincial People's Committees, and corporations have actively implemented the directives of the Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Steering Committee, at the 2nd meeting as per Announcement No. 117/TB-VPCP dated March 25, 2024, from the Government Office. Many tasks have been completed and resolved; the progress of investment and construction of several projects, especially key and urgent projects, has achieved noteworthy results, such as the completion and energization of the 500 kV circuit 3 transmission line project from Quang Trach ( Quang Binh ) to Pho Noi (Hung Yen), resolving difficulties and obstacles in the construction of cooling channels for the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plant projects, and successfully negotiating with Power Machines on the Long Phu 1 project...

However, some difficulties and obstacles still exist in the implementation of schemes and projects due to some inappropriate mechanisms and policies; the untimely drafting, amendment, and supplementation of legal documents; and the slow and prolonged land clearance process, etc.

To resolve obstacles and ensure the progress of projects, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that in the coming period, ministries, localities, relevant agencies and units, and members of the Steering Committee should focus on resolving difficulties and obstacles within their authority, and accelerate the progress of projects to ensure energy security and socio- economic development of the country.

Creating a legal framework for investment projects.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that ministries and agencies, according to their assigned functions and tasks, continue to proactively research and propose amendments and additions to laws, decrees, and related legal documents, creating a legal framework for investment and construction of projects, especially the pilot project for offshore wind power development, the handling of projects with delayed progress, and the mechanism for developing gas-fired power projects... Report to the Government for submission to the National Assembly for consideration on issues within the National Assembly's jurisdiction in accordance with the law.

Ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees should proactively handle, within their authority, any difficulties and obstacles arising related to their state management functions during the implementation of projects, proactively resolving difficulties and accelerating project progress. They should report to the Government and the Prime Minister on issues beyond their authority.

Regarding the development of gas-fired power projects.

The Deputy Prime Minister directed: Currently, all gas-fired power projects face common obstacles related to regulations on production commitment mechanisms and pricing mechanisms between electricity and gas. These are issues not yet regulated in current legal documents under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister has assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to research and propose institutionalization to resolve the practical difficulties arising for gas-fired power projects during the drafting of the amended Electricity Law (document No. 5045/VPCP-CN dated July 17, 2024, from the Government Office). If necessary, the Ministry of Industry and Trade should urgently submit a proposal for a law amending multiple laws to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for compilation and reporting to the Government, as directed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha in document No. 5185/VPCP-CN dated August 29, 2024, from the Government Office.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to urgently finalize and promptly issue the Circular amending and supplementing Circular No. 45/2018/TT-BCT dated November 15, 2018, of the Minister of Industry and Trade regulating the operation of the wholesale electricity market, and the Circular amending and supplementing Circular No. 25/2016/TT-BCT dated November 30, 2016, regulating the transmission electricity system. If necessary, the Ministry of Industry and Trade should coordinate with the Ministry of Justice to research and propose to the Prime Minister to allow the drafting of the Circular amending and supplementing Circular No. 25/2016/TT-BCT in a simplified form as stipulated in the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents.

Ensure that the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plants are fully operational by the end of 2025.

Regarding the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plant projects and the synchronized power grid projects to alleviate the plant's capacity, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Government Office to send a document to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province requesting guidance on resolving difficulties and obstacles in land clearance for the synchronized power grid projects to alleviate the capacity of the thermal power plants. The goal is to hand over the land by October 2024 to ensure the projects are completed early and the capacity of the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plants is relieved by the end of 2025.

Resolving all difficulties related to the Quang Trach 1 and Quang Trach 2 thermal power plant projects.

The Deputy Prime Minister instructed the People's Committee of Quang Binh province to direct the resolution of all difficulties and obstacles related to land clearance, creating favorable conditions for the investor in the construction of the Quang Trach 1 thermal power plant project, ensuring progress as directed by the Prime Minister; and to promptly consider and approve the adjustment of the investment policy for the Quang Trach 2 thermal power plant project in accordance with regulations to implement the next steps.

Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) is working with the People's Committee of Quang Binh province to expedite land clearance and develop plans to accelerate construction of various components, ensuring the progress and quality of the Quang Trach 1 thermal power plant project; and coordinating with the People's Committee of Quang Binh province in approving the adjustment of the investment policy for the Quang Trach 2 thermal power plant project.

Finalize the pilot project for offshore wind power development.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with other ministries, sectors, and corporations and enterprises, will continue to urgently review, develop, and finalize the pilot project for offshore wind power development in accordance with the conclusions of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha in Notice No. 42/TB-VPCP dated February 5, 2024, Notice No. 117/TB-VPCP dated March 25, 2024, and Notice No. 356/TB-VPCP dated July 30, 2024, of the Government Office.

The proposal needs to specify the project, investors, and implementation timeline, thereby recommending solutions and mechanisms and policies to ensure project implementation, from the survey, exploration, assessment, planning, and technology phases to issues related to national defense and security, etc., for the competent authority to decide; only then will it proceed to consider and approve the investment policy, select investors, develop infrastructure, etc. The Ministry of Industry and Trade should research and report further on offshore wind power models, including models of cooperation with foreign countries, based on consultations and recommendations from foreign organizations and investors, to finalize the proposal and report to the Government in September 2024.

Regarding the implementation of Power Development Plan 8, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to implement the directives of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the online conference with localities on the issuance of supplementary and updated plans for the implementation of Power Development Plan 8, as per Notice No. 396/TB-VPCP dated August 21, 2024, from the Government Office. Specifically, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is urged to promptly coordinate with localities to review the list and submit it to the Ministry of Public Security for comments on 154 projects currently facing difficulties, in order to compile a report for the competent authority to consider and decide upon.

Regarding the handling of delayed and slow-implementing power generation projects, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is tasked with leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Justice to direct localities and investors to review and report specific statistics on each delayed project, including the duration of the delay and the reasons for the delay. This will allow for the compilation and proposal of solutions for the competent authorities to address, including considering the option of revoking the project in accordance with the law. A report must be submitted to the Government and the Prime Minister before September 30, 2024.

Develop a plan to ensure sufficient electricity supply for the country in the coming period.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is researching and developing a plan to ensure sufficient electricity supply for the country in the coming period. This plan includes calculating and forecasting future electricity demand, determining the power source structure, assessing the impact of delayed power plant projects on electricity supply, proposing solutions (including the development of expanded hydropower projects, rooftop solar power projects, floating solar power projects, electricity storage and preservation, and, if necessary, considering the development of small-scale modular nuclear power combined with smart grids and smart regulation), and establishing mechanisms for project implementation (including special mechanisms if necessary) to ensure synchronized and effective implementation, mobilizing resources from all economic sectors (clarifying the role of state-owned corporations in project implementation) with the goal of ensuring sufficient electricity supply for the economy. The plan will be submitted to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration and decision in September 2024.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/go-vuong-cho-cac-chuong-du-an-trong-diem-nganh-nang-luong-d224040.html