The Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN) has said that electricity shortages would carry over into this month, causing power cuts across Vietnam.

The Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN) has said that electricity shortages would carry over into this month, causing power cuts across Vietnam.

Rapidly increasing power demand and low water levels at hydropower plant reservoirs are still the main reasons, EVN noted.

In the north, the waters of Da River will be held back to store up water for the massive Son La reservoir. This will cut off water to Hoa Binh reservoir, which is located downstream from the Son La hydropower plant construction site. The plan will begin May 5, according to a group spokesperson.

EVN will continue transmitting power to the south and buying electricity from China to supply the north.

The group is urgently repairing Hai Phong Thermo-Power Plant No. 1 and Quang Ninh Thermo-Power Plant No. 1. At the same time, EVN is working on operating procedures for the reservoirs of Son La, Hoa Binh, Thac Ba and Tuyen Quang during the 2010 flood season.

Reporting power supplies in April, the group admitted that its output was limited to just 270 million kwh a day due to low reservoir and general water levels, while power demand peaked at 283 kwh a day.

In May, the output will be increased by 5-10 million kwh, to reach 275-280 million kwh a day.

Source: VNE/Tuoi Tre