Vietnam to retire inefficient power generators

New regulations target coal-fired thermoelectric generators.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a new decree that will remove outdated low-efficient thermoelectric generators from the national power system. The ministry said there are many coal-fired thermoelectric generators with capacities below 50 MW and low efficiency of some 30% across Vietnam.

Decree 73/2011/ND-CP imposes penalties of up to US$4,800 for companies that do not remove outdated and inefficient generators. It will also prevent the importation of obsolete thermoelectric generators discarded by other countries.

The ministry will submit the draft regulation to the government in late this year.

The new decree will replace Circular 142 released in 2007 giving guidelines for the national program on energy saving and efficiency.