VietNamNet Bridge – The second turbine at the Cao Ngan Thermo-Electricity plant in the Central Highlands' province of Thai Nguyen has been successfully connected to the national electricity network, reported plant officials.

The connection would raise the average capacity of the Cao Ngan plant's generators to 100MW, a major boon for the electricity network considering the current energy shortage nation-wide, officials said.

The successful launch of the second turbine 10 days earlier than planned was a result of the hard work of the plant's Chinese investors, said plant officials.

To meet the plant's goal of producing 350mil kWh and revenues of VND210bil (US$13mil) this year, management at the Cao Ngan Thermo-Electricity plant put forward a number of measures to improve safety, efficiency and the training and development of skilled workers, engineers and managers.

Blackouts unavoidable

The first maintenance shutdown of the Nam Con Son oil field, from July 9-11,caused a 400-500MW decrease in power supply nation-wide, reported the National Electricity Dispatch Centre.

However, in the first stage of the shutdown, fuel flow from the Nam Con Son oil field did not totally stop, said Ngo Son Hai, the centre's deputy director.

At present, the oil field can only supply 5mil cu.m of gas daily as opposed to the average 15mil cu.m.

The fuel is being equally distributed to generators at the Phu My power complex, Hai said.

However, with increasing demand for energy for production and daily activities, shortages are very likely.

Several measures are being implemented to counteract the effects of the Nam Con Son shut-down, including an increase in power purchases from China, maintenance schedule adjustments and maximising output at other plants.

The Nam Con Son oil field provides fuel for the generators at the Phu My power complex, which produces 4,000MW, one-third of the country's total electricity production.

(Source: Viet Nam News)