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Oct. 10, 2003 - Energy-hungry Vietnam is considering buying electricity from neighbouring China to feed its fast-growing economy, an official from state-run dominant utility Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) said on Friday.
EVN is negotiating to import between 40 and 60 MW of electricity capacity from Chinese state suppliers in 2004, its first ever purchase contract with China, the official said.
The import volume would depend on demand at the time of the purchase, she said.
"Demand is surging so we need back-up supplies," said the official, who declined to be identified.
EVN generates 95 percent of the nation's electricity. It bought 2.11bn kWh in 2002 from other domestic power plants.
Vietnam generated 35.56bn kWh in 2002. Electricity capacity purchased from China could be increased to 400 MW once sufficient transmission lines are installed, the official added.
Buying electricity from China could also provide a cushion for Vietnam in case of major power glitches, she said. The country is also looking at setting up a string of power plants in neighbouring Laos to help meet its increasing demand.
Growth in private businesses and an increase in disposable incomes have boosted demand for electricity by 15 to 17 per cent annually in Vietnam, prompting authorities to plan for 62 additional power plants by 2020.
The communist country has the fastest-growing economy in southeast Asia and plans around $1bn of investment to triple the reach of transmission lines to around 3850 km by 2010, which it hopes will help avoid putting a heavy strain on the existing power grid.
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