Hydropower plants in northern Vietnam have pumped up their production by almost a quarter compared to earlier this month, to release water amid forecasts of heavy rain caused by Storm Talim.
Water levels at most hydropower plants are now 10-20 meters higher than the minimum level for power production, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
This is why plants in Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang and HoaBinh provinces will increase their production to avoid overflow as heavy rains are expected this week as an effect of Storm Talim making landfall.
Talim is the first storm to form over Vietnamese waters this year. The national meteorological center said that between July 11 and August 10 tropical convergence tends to be more active and stronger, leading to thunderstorms, tornadoes and high waves at sea.
Power demand in Vietnam increased last week due to high heat. Maximum production last week recorded a new historic peak of 45,474 megawatts and increased by 1,720 megawatts from the week prior.
From the beginning of the year until July 13, total production reached 147 billion kilowatt-hours, up 1.35% year-on-year.
Hydropower accounted for 27.5% of total production.
Coal supply is now stable as most thermal power plants have secured adequate coal inventory.
After a major shortage recorded in the last weeks of May and early June, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai had assured that there would be no power shortage for northern Vietnam for the rest of the year.
Authorities will increase hydropower production and decrease thermal production in the third quarter as storms and heavy rains are expected to arrive.