Hydropower output target seen uncompleted due to water shortages

Total electricity output from hydropower during the remaining 2 months of 2019 is expected to reach 10.6 billion kWh, 2.4 billion kWh lower than target.

Due to the shortage of over 11 billion cubic meters water, the total hydroelectric production of the whole year could reached only 65.3 billion kWh, a 9.9 billion kWh lower than 2019 goal, according to the Electricity of Vietnam.  

Water level at Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, the country’s major hydroelectric reservoirs is much lower than usual. The three reservoirs are facing a total water shortage of nearly 7.3 billion cubic meters.

In order to meet the increasing power demand in the final months of this year, the State-owned corporation had to rely on electricity from coal-fired thermal power plants and oil-powered power plants.

Coal-fired power generation is expected to increase by an annual average of over 10% between 2019 and 2028, increasing its proportion of total electricity generation from an estimated 36% at end 2018 to 49% by 2028, according a report from Fitch Solutions.

The expansion of the industrial and manufacturing sectors will lead to a surge in power demand and consumption over the coming decade. Vietnam may risk power outages in the future should supply not catch up to demand.

At present, power capacity is still adequate to handle the country's growing needs. The government is also looking to import more power from its neighbors, largely from Laos, to deal with potential shortages, report says.

• Coal-fired power plants may cost Vietnam $7-9 billion in health bills