Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam Electricity (EVN) hasproposed to the Government and relevant ministries and sectors a number ofmeasures to ensure power supply, especially in the northern region, includingthe issuance of mechanisms to develop renewable energy in the region.

Under the proposal, by 2025, the region expects to have an additional 5,500 MW of renewable energy, including 4,000 MW of wind power and about 1,500 MW of solar power.

Along with some mechanisms to encourage the development of rooftop solar powerfor self-supply, EVN suggested the Government permit to the group to invest in offshore wind power in the northern region toincrease power supplies for the region and ensure national security.

The proposals are expected to ease difficulties in powersupply in the northern region, especially in summer, and help Vietnam implement its commitment delivered at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

According to EVN, the northern region many suffer a shortageof electricity in the hottest days in summer. Demand in the region accounts fornearly 50 percent of the country’s total demand for power, which is forecast tocontinue seeing higher growth than the national average. However, thereare only few new generation sources in the region in 2022.

Meanwhile, the supply of coal for power production is becoming limited. InMarch, the whole system saw a shortage of more than 3,000 MW of electricity fromhydropower plants due to a lack of coal.

The Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin)and Dong Bac Corporation reported that difficulties will continue incoal supply in the time to come, leading to a power shortage from April./.