LookAtVietnam Bridge - Most of the 37 power plant projects inspected by a Government task force since mid March have been behind schedule.

The plants, in the north, centre and south, were supposed to have begun construction this year and brought into operation by 2010.

The task force, led by prime-ministerial envoy Thai Phung Ne, said only three out of 11 inspected power projects in the south met the progress required by the National Electricity Development Master Plan for 2006-2015. These included the first phase of the O Mon 1 thermo-power plant, and Buon Kuop and Srepok 4 hydro-power plants.

Most of the others were three to six months behind schedule. The 180MW Dong Nai 3 hydro-power plant, backed by Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN), was even one year behind schedule.

The 26 projects in the north and the centre were faring no better. Only Son Dong thermo-power, Sesan 4 hydro-power plant and the expanded Uong Bi 2 thermo-power plant met required progress targets.

The slowdown places the country at risk of longer power shortages during a time of socio-economic development, said the task force.

It said the main reason was the shortage of adequate guidance leading to slow investment, designs and payment. Lack of human resources, equipment and technology was also to blame.

Land clearance has also created problems. Some households refuse to accept compensation, causing Mong Duong 1 thermo-power plant and Ban Chat, Huoi Quang and Song Tranh hydro-power plants to be behind target.

The master plan for National Electricity Development forecast that Viet Nam’s power demand would increase by 17-20 per cent by 2015. This means a need for at least 95 new power plants with the total capacity of more than 49,000MW.

(Source: VNS)