Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the meeting on April 3

Chairing a meeting in Hanoi on Sunday to look into the electricity supply and the provision of coal and gas for power generation, the Prime Minister pointed out a soaring power demand as a result of the socio-economic development and post-pandemic recovery.

The Government leader said ministries, sectors, and agencies have yet to act drastically enough to carry out his official dispatch, issued on December 24 last year, on economical and efficient power use and power supply in 2022 and beyond.

He said in 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, electricity supply and demand have been guaranteed, but power shortages occurred in some places and at certain points of time.

He asked all-level authorities, sectors, and relevant agencies to improve their sense of responsibility, proactively take measures for ensuring the power supply with reasonable prices for economic and daily activities, and easing dependence on foreign electricity sources.

In the long run, it is necessary to boost sustainable energy development and power generation, step up power saving solutions, encourage domestic electricity production, facilitate innovation to achieve low-cost, safe, and effective power generation, and properly handle the relationship between input materials and power prices.

The PM also demanded authorities and businesses to continue a close watch on the market to make appropriate adjustments, work closely together to ensure effective power generation and supply, and overhaul mechanisms and policies on power, coal, and gas production to safeguard energy security.