Vietnam PM orders more power imports, emergency supply measures to avert shortages

The directive followed a meeting with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, where PM Hung said energy supply is critical and shortages of electricity and fuel must not occur under any circumstances.

He instructed the ministry to accelerate transmission projects to enable higher electricity imports to northern Vietnam as early as 2027 and, if necessary, adjust intergovernmental agreements and the national power development plan to expand imports from Laos.

The government also called for immediate solutions to supplement supply through floating power plants for urgent use, particularly to support production and business activities in the north.

Authorities were told to promote electricity savings and expand rooftop solar for self-consumption linked with energy storage, while developing policies to rapidly scale up battery energy storage systems.

Hung ordered an urgent review and update of the national power plan, including studying coal-fired power development at an appropriate scale with emissions treatment roadmaps and applying emergency mechanisms under the 2024 Electricity Law if needed.

The industry ministry was also directed to speed up key projects, including the 110-megawatt Na Duong II thermal power plant and the 650-megawatt An Khanh–Bac Giang plant.

It was instructed to resolve bottlenecks facing wind and solar projects benefiting from feed-in tariffs and to replace projects unlikely to be completed in 2026–30 with feasible alternatives, particularly baseload sources.

Authorities were told to take firm action against investors failing to meet timelines and assign clear responsibility for project delays.

On fuel supply, the government said agencies must closely monitor market developments, balance supply and demand, and ensure no disruptions occur.

The ministry was also asked to streamline fuel distribution by reducing intermediaries and to promote biofuel E10 and the transition to greener and public transport.