EVNNPC powers up for post-Covid 19 economic development

EVNNPC has adopted flexible and creative solutions to combat Covid-19 and maintain production and business activities

Flexible and creative solutions

Demand for electricity surged in March and early April with Vietnamese throughout the country remaining indoors and adhering to the government’s social distancing guidelines and lockdown measures. EVNNPC teams were called out to respond to numerous disruptions, especially in isolated areas, field hospitals, medical facilities and hospitals, some caused by hail and thunderstorms in Northern provinces such as Yen Bai, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho.

From February to April 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic also significantly affected EVNNPC’s investment and business activities. Power projects and construction works were delayed due to epidemic prevention and control measures. Imported materials and equipment or foreign experts could not enter the country. In addition, there were concerns about the health and safety of nearly 27,000 workers and millions of customers in the Northern region, mindful that infection of even a small number of officials and workers could affect the corporation’s activities.

The corporation and its member units developed responsive plans and scenarios to deal with the varied challenges. EVNNPC strictly complied with instructions in switching to online work wherever possible through the application of information technology. Online meetings were held regularly during the peak of the epidemic in Vietnam.

In order to ensure the continuous operation of the power system, employees working in the Remote Control Center were isolated, and the company arranged shifts for workers in a way designed to avoid infection and spread of the epidemic.

EVNNPC adopted many initiatives to ensure construction progress where possible, strengthen management and supervision, and control the sources of equipment and supplies.

The company also continued to improve customer service by promoting dissemination of non-contact services through intelligent software and forms, especially online public services.

Meeting targets

In the first five months of this year, EVNNPC completed its assigned tasks. Commercial power output of the 1st quarter reached nearly 16.2 billion kWh, a year-on-year increase of 7.87 percent. The corporation also implemented a 10- percent price discount for customers affected by Covid-19 in accordance with instructions from the government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and EVN.

In addition, the corporation’s power loss dropped 0.34 percent compared with the same period of 2019 to 4.79 percent. The access to electricity index was 4.8/7 days, 2.2 days earlier than regulations; and 48.42 percent of customers made non-cash payment on their bills.

Despite the complicated development of the pandemic, the corporation also signed up more than 3,317 customers with electricity consumption of 1 million kWh or more for its Demand Response program (DR), and 2,972 customers have registered to participate in the program with a total adjustment capacity of 1,059.07 MW.

Contributing to post-Covid 19 recovery

In the early months of this year, the corporation started 14 projects and energized 20 projects, raising the number of energized and commencement projects in the 2016-2020 period to 345 and 247 projects/works respectively; contributing to raising the capacity of the electricity system, ensuring supply for industrial parks in 27 Northern provinces and cities. Those and other on-going projects are expected to create a “golden opportunity” for Vietnam in drawing post-Covid-19 investment, contributing to a favorable investment, business environment and national economic recovery.