Van Phong hydropower plant 6MW at Tay Son, Binh Dinh province commenced in 2015
Decision 478/QD-BCT issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on 9 February 2021, on the shift of peak generation hours for small hydropower plants (“Decision 478”). Decision 478 takes effect from 9 February 2021, with the following key takeaways:
- Shifting peak generation hours. Shifting the peak generation hours of small hydropower plants (“Shift”) from 09:30 – 11:30 AM to 06:00 – 08:00 AM on Monday to Saturday according to Article 1 of Decision 478.
- Subjects of application. (i) Vietnam Electricity (“EVN”), Northern Power Corporation, Central Power Corporation, Southern Power Corporation, (ii) organizations and individuals selling electricity from small hydropower plants and (iii) electricity system and market operator, and other relevant organizations and individuals according to Article 1 of Decision 478.
- Principle. (i) Pursuant to the load demand of the electric systems in each area and units with self-consumption of rooftop solar power to calculate, determine the Shift (no Shift for each electricity generating unit), (ii) Ensuring the security of the national power system and the safe, stable, reliable and efficient operation of the national power system, and (iii) No increase of electricity tariff for small hydropower plants compared to the period before the Shift which could cause the adjustment of electric retail price according to Article 2 of Decision 478.
- Amending and supplementing power purchase agreements. Small hydropower plants operators coordinate with EVN to agree on amending and supplementing power purchase agreements regarding the Shift according to Article 3.1 (b) and Article 3.2 of Decision 478.
- Reporting. Before 1 December 2021, EVN reports to the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the Shift, such as: assessing actual implementation results, electricity system operation status and costs incurred to implement the Shift according to Article 3.1 (c) of Decision 478.
Small hydropower projects are implemented and under implementation by Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company 3 including Song Giang 1 hydropower project (12MW); Nam Hoa 1 hydropower project (18MW); Thac Ba hydropower project (18MW) and Van Phong hydropower project (6MW).
Reported by Nguyen Tuan Phat (Legal Department PECC3)
