THREE ENERGY “GIANTS” ESTABLISH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

The three State-owned giants in the energy sectorhave inked a strategic cooperation agreement with the aim of ensuring nationalenergy security. The general directors of the National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), theElectricity of Vietnam (EVN)and the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV) signed the agreement at a ceremony in Hanoion February 26. Under the agreement, the three groups will cooperate in developing a master plan for the sector as well as in investing in the building and operation of power plants, the exploitation and transportation of coal both at home and abroad. They will also share the use of services and coordinate their communications activities. President of the Vietnam Energy Association Tran Viet Ngai said the cooperation between the three groups over the past time has contributed to ensuring national energy security. However, Ngai pointed out the fact that there is yet a master plan for the energy sector as a whole, with the coal, power and oil industries each having its own development plan. This fact hinders the implementation of projects included in the national power development plan, he noted, adding that the newly-reached strategic cooperation between the three major energy industries is expected to help address this problem. Speaking at the signing ceremony, PetroVietnam President Tran Dinh Thuc asked EVN to enhance cooperation in the operation of PetroVietnam’s gas-fuelled power plants, especially during the rainy season. He called on EVN to speed up the negotiation and signing of contracts with PetroVietnam’s power plants such as Nhon Trach 1&2 power plans, Vung Ang coal-fuelled power plant, Dakring hydroelectric plant and Phu Quy wind power plant while speeding up the construction of the 220 kV Duyen Ha-Doc Soi power line connecting Dakring hydroelectricity plant and the national power grid. On this occasion, Thuc suggested TKV’s leaders accelerate the negotiation of coal selling contracts with PetroVietnam thermal power plant.-VNA