Energy supply must be ensured for national growth: PM

PM Nguyen Tan Dung chairs the government meeting on adjustments to electricity and coal planning

The leader was speaking at a meeting of Government standing members in Hanoi on January 19, to scrutinise a project adjusting the National Power Development Plan for 2011-2020 with a vision towards 2030, and another adjusting the Vietnam Coal Industry Development Planning to 2020 with a vision towards 2030.

He said the adjustment and supplement of the power and coal plans for 2016-2020, looking towards 2030, is necessary and urgent in order to fulfill new requirements of socio-economic development, as well as the cause of industrialisation and modernisation.

The PM asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to complete the two projects on the basis of opinions raised at the meeting and feedback from ministries and agencies, and then present them to the Government for approval.

The projects should be implemented in early 2016, he said, highlighting the efficient, economic and safe use of the energies, in tandem with sustainable growth and environmental protection, especially the close-control of coal-fired power plants.

Another important task is to actively fulfill international commitments on gas emission reduction and renewable electricity development, PM Nguyen Tan Dung noted.

The leader also affirmed efforts to continue actualising strict guidelines on nuclear power, approved by the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly, in line with the law.

The coal and electricity sectors were requested to pursue the open market mechanism, as they should be gearing towards a higher competitive edge - without monopoly or subsidy of price.

They should increase the application of scientific and technological advances to raise productivity and cut product price, the PM said. He called on State-owned enterprises active in energy to better perform their key role in this field, while drastically speeding up restructuring process.

At the meeting, the Deputy PMs and leaders of ministries and agencies discussed the implementation of the two plans and updated forecast on national socio-economic development for 2016-2020 with a vision towards 2030, as well as the country’s power and coal demands in the time ahead./.

Source: VNA