No anti-government policies, no group interests
On the afternoon of October 21, continuing the program of the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien presented to the National Assembly the draft Law on Electricity (amended).
According to the Minister of Industry and Trade, after nearly 20 years of implementing the 2004 Electricity Law, there are still a number of problems that have not met practical requirements and need to be amended, supplemented, as well as ensuring consistency with related laws.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that this draft law does not contain any content contrary to the Constitution, the proposed contents are public and transparent, there are no policies contrary to the Party's guidelines and regulations, the State's laws, and there are no group or local interests.
One of the new points in the draft law is the mention of nuclear power development. The Government proposes that the State has a monopoly in investing in the construction of this type of power plant projects, because this is an important project related to national security.
Planning for this type of power source is an integral and synchronous part of the national power development plan, to ensure the goal of power supply security.
In addition to this power source, the State also holds a monopoly on investment in multi-purpose hydropower plants and power source and grid projects from 220 kV voltage level and above, emergency power sources and grids; transmission grid operation (except for grids invested and built by private individuals) and power system dispatch.
Nuclear power development policy is a new issue.
Examining this content, Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy said that the nuclear power development policy is a new issue raised in the draft law.
The review agency requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade - the agency in charge of drafting the report to the competent authority to consider and decide on the provisions of this content and the level of provisions in the draft law on nuclear power development.
There are opinions that it is necessary to review and clarify regulations related to fields where the State has exclusive investment rights.
Accordingly, only the contents that are really necessary are regulated to ensure energy security, create a mechanism to attract socialization, facilitate the mobilization of investors, reduce public investment, increase feasibility and make state management more effective, the review report reflects.
The draft law stipulates electricity prices according to market mechanisms with State regulation, to ensure encouragement of economical electricity use.
The electricity price structure is also restructured reasonably, gradually reducing and moving towards eliminating cross-subsidies between customer groups and regions, specifically between household and production electricity.
The electricity pricing mechanism is suitable for groups of electricity users with high consumption and emissions, tourist accommodation facilities and industrial production. The government also prioritizes the development of electric charging stations for green vehicles.
Electricity prices ensure publicity, transparency and equality, without discrimination between electricity units, ensuring the right to self-determination of buying and selling prices within the price framework and price structure prescribed by the State.
In addition, some regulations on minimum and long-term contract output commitments and regulations on offtake mechanisms for units participating in the electricity market are inappropriate.
According to the auditing agency, the Government also needs to be more specific about appropriate electricity price reform policies, towards promoting a competitive electricity market and reviewing regulations on electricity prices.
