Argus Media reported that Vietnam's coal output is expected to grow to 58 million tonnes by 2015 but the start up of new power plants will still force the country to turn to imports.
Mr Tran Xuan Hoa president & CEO of Vinacomin said that saleable coal production is expected to increase to 46 million tonnes in 2011, 58 million tonnes in 2015 and 73 million tonnes in 2020. Vietnam's raw coal output was 46 million tonnes in 2009, of which 43 million tonnes was saleable.
Mr Tran said that while some 19 coal mines with a combined capacity of 11 million tonnes per annum are to be closed from next year until 2030 because of factors such as inefficiency or the end of the mine's life, there will be a net addition as new mines will a combined capacity of 61 million tonnes per annum will be built during the period. But Vietnam will need to increasingly import, as demand for thermal coal is expected to grow sharply with new coal fired power plants mostly being built in the south of the country.
The construction of nine power plants is already in progress, while another 24 are at the planning stage and could come on line by 2015. Vietnam will have to import 3 million to 15 million tonnes a year by 2015 and 21 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes a year by 2020, to meet this increased demand.
Mr Le Duong Quang vice minister for trade and industry said that Vietnam, which exported around 24 million tonnes of coal in 2009, is expected to export 18 million tonnes in 2010 and will further reduce its coal exports to 3 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes each year in the coming years ahead.
Mr Lam Du Son, a board member of state owned power utility EVN, said that coal is expected to overtake hydropower as Vietnam's main source of electricity generation by 2015. By then coal will be used to generate 15,421 MW and hydropower 15,022 MW.
Coal fired power plants in Vietnam produced 2,031 MW of electricity in 2009, with this expected to grow to 3,341 MW in 2010. Hydroelectric plants produced 6,929 MW in 2009, which is expected to rise to 8,535 MW in 2010.
(Sourced from www.argusmedia.com)
