Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai works with NSMO

Also attending the meeting were leaders from the Electricity Regulatory Authority, the Electricity and Renewable Energy Department, the Personnel and Organization Department, the Legal Department, the Department of Industrial Safety and Environmental Engineering, and related units; the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the NSMO leadership team, and specialized departments.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai highly appreciated the important role of NSMO in assisting the Ministry in managing and operating the national power system and electricity market, ensuring electricity supply security for the country.

According to the Deputy Minister, the structure of the energy sector has been undergoing many changes, and management and operation will become more complex. Therefore, NSMO needs to continue building on its achievements, continue researching and calculating short-term and long-term issues, and propose solutions to ensure electricity supply and national energy security.

According to NSMO's report, the company's current structure includes the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Management Board, 5 production departments, 4 administrative departments, and 3 branches. As of July 31, 2024, NSMO had a total of 457 employees.

In the first seven months of the year, despite facing many difficulties such as a sudden surge in electricity demand exceeding historical values; and lower-than-average water levels in hydropower reservoirs in the early months of the year… However, the management and operation of the power system were maintained reliably, ensuring sufficient electricity supply for the country's socio-economic development and the needs of the people.

In the final months of the year, in addition to streamlining the organizational structure, developing internal documentation systems, and submitting labor-related and salary cost plans to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for approval, NSMO will focus its resources on completing the work plan for the remaining months of 2024 and 2025, with a particular emphasis on planning for the operation of the power system and the electricity market.

Based on forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from July to September 2024, ENSO is likely to shift to a La Nina state with a probability of 65-75%, possibly lasting until the end of the year. This is expected to increase water inflow into hydropower reservoirs, helping total hydropower production in the period from August to December 2024 reach 56.8 billion kWh, 5.2 billion kWh higher than planned.

Regarding load demand, total electricity production and imports in 2024 are expected to reach approximately 309.8 billion kWh, an increase of 10.11% compared to 2023. For the remaining months, the load demand is expected to be no higher than the actual demand in the first seven months of the year.

Regarding hydrology, based on forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, NSMO estimates that the total hydropower output based on water inflow during the August-December period is expected to reach 56.8 billion kWh, 5.2 billion kWh higher than the annual hydro-mechanical plan.

To ensure electricity supply security and optimize the mobilization of power sources, NSMO prioritizes securing electricity supply for the remaining months of 2024 as a key objective in guiding its operational strategies, alongside the goal of optimizing costs.

Increase the utilization of hydropower reservoirs with good water inflow, especially multi-purpose hydropower plants with maximum water level limits during the flood season to avoid sudden surges in downstream flow. Power plants are mobilized based on the results of simultaneous hydro-thermal power optimization calculations. The goal is to bring reservoir water levels back to normal levels by the end of the year. Reduce the mobilization of some thermal power sources to increase hydropower utilization; however, maintain a minimum configuration of thermal power plants to ensure grid operation standards (ensuring technical safety criteria such as load capacity, voltage limits, transmission limits, etc.) and power system availability, especially for the northern region. In addition, some plants also need to be mobilized to ensure safety during the construction of the 500kV circuit 3 transmission line.

NSMO will flexibly adjust the detailed operating strategies for hydropower, coal-fired thermal power, natural gas, and LNG sources to suit the actual load conditions, hydrology, weather, and availability of power sources, as well as other uncertainties.

NSMO recommends that power generation units and power generation corporations coordinate closely to update and assess mobilization needs to ensure appropriate coal import plans, optimize costs, and adjust maintenance schedules to suit actual operating conditions.

Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai inspects the operation of the power system.

Reporting further at the meeting, Chairman of the NSMO Board of Members, Nguyen Duc Cuong, stated that the National Power System Dispatch Center has made great efforts to fulfill its assigned tasks. With the transition to operating under a company model, NSMO hopes to receive the attention and guidance of the Ministry's leadership and relevant departments to successfully complete its assigned tasks.

During the meeting, leaders of functional units under NSMO proposed several issues related to personnel, professional work, and operations. Leaders of units under the Ministry reported and provided feedback on the content and implementation procedures so that NSMO can soon complete its organizational structure and operations in accordance with the law.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai stated that the National Security Agency (NSMO) had made many efforts, but due to the short timeframe, it still needed more time to improve. The Deputy Minister also requested that the relevant departments and agencies continue to support the NSMO in resolving current legal procedural obstacles to ensure its effective operation.

For NSMO, in addition to regulating and operating the power system and electricity market, it is necessary to participate in providing input on institutional matters (amended Electricity Law) to create a long-term and effective legal framework; and at the same time, develop a medium-term plan for electricity supply at least until 2030.

Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai visits and inspects functional departments.

Earlier, Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai visited and inspected the National Power System Dispatch Center, the electricity market operation rooms, and the renewable energy room. There, the Deputy Minister listened to reports and learned in detail about the unit's work.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/thu-truong-bo-cong-thuong-truong-thanh-hoai-lam-viec-voi-nsmo-340166.html