Circular 04: Contents of notification on suspension, reduction of electricity supply in Vietnam

Circular 04: Contents of notification on suspension, reduction of electricity supply in Vietnam​ (Image from the Internet)

The Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam promulgates Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT dated February 1, 2025, stipulating the procedures for the suspension and reduction of electricity supply.

1. Circular 04: Contents of notification on suspension, reduction of electricity supply in Vietnam

According to Article 4 of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT, the regulation on notice of suspension or reduction in electricity supply is as follows:

- In all cases of suspension or reduction in electricity supply, the electricity seller must notify the electricity buyer in advance, except in cases specified in Article 6 of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

- The content of the notice of suspension or reduction in electricity supply includes:

+ The location of suspension or reduction in electricity supply; the amount of reduced capacity or maximum capability in cases of reduced electricity supply;

+ The reason for suspension or reduction in electricity supply;

+ The start time of the suspension or reduction in electricity supply;

+ The expected time for power restoration or to ensure normal electricity supply levels.

- The individual representing the electricity seller to sign the notice of suspension or reduction in electricity supply must be one of the following:

+ The legal representative or authorized representative of the electricity seller;

+ An individual holding a position authorized to sign the notice of suspension or reduction in electricity supply as agreed upon in the electricity purchase contract.

- The notice of suspension or reduction in electricity supply will be conducted in a manner agreed upon by both parties and recorded in the electricity purchase contract.

2. Reporting regime of provincial electricity companies in cases of suspension, reduction in electricity supply due to power shortages in Vietnam

The reporting regime of provincial electricity companies in cases of implementing suspension, reduction in electricity supply due to power shortages according to Article 13 of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT is as follows:

- Weekly Report

Before 11:00 on Friday of week W, provincial electricity companies are responsible for reporting the electricity supply situation in their area to the Regional Electricity Corporation, Provincial People's Committee, and Department of Industry and Trade from Friday of week W-1 to Thursday of week W.

The weekly report of the provincial electricity company is conducted following the weekly report template on electricity supply and reduction as stipulated in Appendix IV issued with Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

- Monthly Report

Before the 5th of each month, provincial electricity companies are responsible for reporting the electricity supply and reduction situation in their area for the previous month to the Regional Electricity Corporation, Provincial People's Committee, and Department of Industry and Trade, including the following contents:

+ Electricity output, maximum capacity allocation and actualization of the electricity company for the month;

+ Estimated electricity output, reduced load capacity during the month;

+ Implementation of electricity output allocation, reduced capacity for major electricity consumers and other consumers in the province;

+ Analysis and clarification of reasons in cases where the actual electricity supply differs from the monthly electricity supply plan approved by the Provincial People's Committee.

The monthly report of the provincial electricity company is conducted according to the monthly report template on electricity supply and reduction as stipulated in Appendix IV issued with Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

3. Guidelines for monitoring the implementation of suspension, reduction in electricity supply in Vietnam

According to Article 16 of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT, the guidelines for monitoring the implementation of suspension, reduction in electricity supply are as follows:

- In cases where suspension, reduction in electricity supply is due to power shortages, the Electricity Corporation is responsible for:

+ Monitoring the maximum allowable electricity output and distributed capacity at provincial electricity companies, ensuring provincial electricity companies conform to assigned electricity output and capacity;

+ Monitoring efforts to reduce electricity consumption at provincial electricity companies, ensuring reductions comply with principles set out in Article 16 of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

+ Before 8:00 daily, informing the National Power System Dispatch Center of the results of electricity output and assigned capacity implementation of day D-1.

- In cases where suspension, reduction in electricity supply is due to power shortages, the Vietnam Electricity Group is responsible for:

+ Monitoring the implementation of maximum allowed electricity output and distributed capacity at electricity corporations, ensuring corporations enact assigned electricity output and capacity;

+ Monitoring electricity supply actions of electricity corporations and provincial electricity companies, ensuring reductions adhere to principles stipulated in Article 16 of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

- The Department of Industry and Trade is responsible for:

+ Annually, based on political, social, security, and defense importance, leading and cooperating with the Hanoi Electricity Corporation, Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation, Provincial Electricity Company to submit a list of priority power supply customers to the Provincial People's Committee for approval in anticipation of electricity seller's suspension or reduction in supply;

+ Monitoring the suspension and reduction in electricity supply by the Hanoi Electricity Corporation, Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation, Provincial Electricity Company, Distribution Unit, and Retail Electricity Unit in accordance with Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

+ Monitoring the electricity supply of local electricity companies based on allocated output and capacity when the national electricity system faces shortages;

+ Monitoring electricity supply actions in accordance with approved plans and reduction principles outlined in Article 6, Appendix I of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT when the national electricity system experiences shortages;

+ Monitoring electricity usage of customers with agreed load profiles with provincial electricity companies when the national electricity system is undersupplied.

- The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for:

+ General monitoring of suspension and reduction of electricity supply by electricity units in accordance with Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

+ General supervision over allocation and execution of electricity output and capacity when the national electricity system lacks resources, ensuring compliance with principles outlined in Article 6, Appendix I of Circular 04/2025/TT-BCT.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE