Quang Ninh (VNA) - Despite the difficulties posed by extreme weather such as hailstorm, whirlwinds and storm as well as and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC) enjoyed a year-on-year rise of 4.86 percent rise in commercial power production in the first half of 2020, reaching 34.5 billion kWh. The figures were reported to a meeting the company held in the northern province of Quang Ninh on July 8 to review its operations in the first half and sketch out plans for the remainder of the year. According to EVNNPC General Director Do Thi Nguyet Anh, it led other Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) corporations in power production during the period, but the result was still below its target. Since the beginning of this year it has provided middle-voltage power to 909 customers, with an average time for processing procedures of 4.65 days; 2.35 days less than in EVN regulations and 0.35 days less than what the corporation itself targeted.

In February alone, its commercial power output picked up 11.04 percent year-on-year to more than 5.15 billion kWh, despi🧸te rampant COVID-19 outbreak.

In the month, EVNNPC began supplying medium-voltage power to 123 new customers. It took the firm an average 5.15 days to handle relevant procedures, down 1.85 days as stipulated. By simplifying procedures, companies under the corporation also improved their power access index. Procedures and process were made public via many online channels, making it easier for customers to request middle-voltage power services. In the past six months the EVNNPC received 197,038 requests for power services, including 16,194 sent through the national public service portal. It also met all 14 customer service requirements set by EVN. The ratio of customers paying power bills via non-cash methods reached 52.11 percent - higher than the target assigned by EVN by 2.11 percent. As of June 30, the corporation had seen 2,700 customers installing rooftop power with a total capacity of 40.3 MWp. In the first six months combined, about 7.10 million kWh of power was generated for the national grid from this source. At the same time, up to 9.89 million customers enjoyed the firm’s power price and power bill reduction with a total pre-tax amount of 2.34 trillion VND. Meanwhile, in June, the corporation launched 12 projects, and put into operation nine others. In the first half it began construction of 37 of 65 works, or 56.9 percent of the annual target. It put 31 of 81 works into operation, fulfilling just 38.2 percent of the goal for the year as a whole due to difficulties in site clearance and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to EVNNPC General Director Do Thi Nguyet Anh, over the remainder of the year the firm will prepare capital to invest in the power grid, along with a list of items for investment, in order to be prepared for the foreign investment wave predicted to flow into Vietnam. It will also speed up projects and ensure commitments between the sector and localities and customers are met. As a subsidiary of the state power utility EVN, the Northern Power Corporation was founded in October 1969 as the Power Company and is now managing the power systems in 27 provinces and cities in the northern and north central regions. The company is operating the largest power system among EVN’s five power distribution corporations with 254 110-kV substations with a total power of 19,000 MVA and nearly 9,000 kilometres of 110-kV transmission lines. The company is supplying over 70 billion kWh annually to over 11 million households. With its significant contributions to socio-economic development, EVNNPC has been awarded the Labour Order, first class./.