[news] Power supply in north return to normal

[Dam Son <son@fermi.phys.washington.edu>]

Power supply in north returns to normal

(SGT-HCMC) Electric power supply and demand in northern Vietnam began to
normalize after the crisis of lack of electricity hit this region for
about two weeks, an official source said. 

The output of thermo-power and hydroelectric plants in northern provinces
can now address the local demand and even supply an excess of electric
power for southern provinces. 

Mr. Bui Thuc Khiet, vice director general of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN),
noted that rainwater is flowing into the reservoirs of Hoa Binh and Thac
Ba hydroelectric plants. 

But, he added, these generating plants cannot operate as normal because
water in their reservoirs has not yet reached the required level. 

Therefore, the power industry still has to convey electricity from the
South to the North from 0:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. everyday, helping Hoa Binh
Hydroelectric Plant to reserve more water in its reservoir. 

Meanwhile, from 5:00 p.m. till midnight everyday, Hoa Binh has excessive
electric power to supply southern provinces as the North cannot consume
the entire output of the plant. 

Leadership of this industry have expressed concern that the power shortage
will be more serious in the dry season in 1998. 
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