VietNamNet Bridge – Intermittent blackouts are likely to hit the country from now to mid-September because of the nation's lower-than-usual electricity capacity, according to the National Electricity Dispatch Centre.

Allowing for maintenance work and anti-flooding measures affecting the country's largest hydro-electric plant, Hoa Binh, Vietnam's electricity capacity will remain between 10,200 - 10,500MW, the centre said.

In another development, Ha Noi's People's Committee on Monday asked local agencies, offices and, city lighting operators to make concerted efforts to save energy.

Suggestions include setting air conditioners in offices at not less than 25 degrees Celsius and turning them off 30 minutes before working hours are up or if there's nobody in the office.

Also, when replacing lights or installing new ones, businesses and streetlight maintainers must use saving-energy light bulbs.

Streetlights can only be turned on according to existing regulations.

As fast as possible

The electricity sector will meet national demand by 2009 if all its projects run according to schedule, Deputy Minister of Industry Bui Xuan Khu has said.

Hundreds of electricity power plants are currently operating in Vietnam, including 34 with capacity of more than 100 MW, but to achieve the 20% growth rate approved by the Prime Minister the sector must pump out an additional 3,800 MW to the tune of US$4bil in investment, Khu said.

To this end, the sector should equitise its plants and use the capital to invest in the sector, the deputy added.

"The price of electricity needs to be hiked so money can be channelled back into the plants," Khu said.

A plan to establish a public electricity fund to support poor households was also underway, the deputy said, adding the ministry would submit funds to the Government at the year end.

About 6% of households in Vietnam today live without electricity, mostly in remote and mountainous areas.

The Government plan to make electricity accessible nationwide by 2010.

(Source: Viet Nam News)