Power supply to Foxconn: What Bac Giang Province’s leaders say

On May 21, Reuters cited unnamed sources reporting that Vietnam urged Apple’s supplier Foxconn to voluntarily reduce electricity usage by 30 percent at assembly plants in the northern region. Foxconn, officially known as Hong Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., is the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronic devices. It operates several plants in the northern region, including in Bac Giang Province, where it assembles some Apple MacBook and iPad products.

Responding to this issue in an interview with the Vietnam Economic News, the leadership of Bac Giang Provincial People's Committee affirmed that there is no electricity shortage for businesses operating in the province. "Currently, the electricity sector is paid more attention to and enjoyed better investment. According to reports from the electricity sector, priority is given to ensuring sufficient power supply for businesses to operate stably in Bac Giang Province," said the people’s committee’s representative.

Since the beginning of 2024, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has developed power supply scenarios and implemented synchronous and effective solutions to ensure good supply - photo: Internet

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) stated that, in compliance with the directives of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises, since the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, EVN has developed electricity supply scenarios and implemented synchronous and effective solutions. Therefore, since the beginning of 2024, electricity supply has been well ensured, and EVN has no plans to enforce reductions in customers' electricity usage.

For June and the following months of 2024, the group has updated the growth in electricity demand and developed operational scenarios to ensure electricity for economic development and the people's life in all situations.

EVN has advised customers to continue using electricity efficiently and safely, especially from now until the end of 2024, particularly focusing on those outlined in the Prime Minister’s Directive No.20 dated June 8, 2023.

Based on the experience gained from the 20-day electricity shortage in some places in the North in June 2023, since the end of 2023, the Prime Minister has directed three times to ensure electricity supply in 2024 and subsequent years, in the spirit of not allowing any electricity shortages in any situation.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued many directives, approved the electricity supply plan for the whole year of 2024 and peak dry season months, accompanied by directives to ensure fuel for electricity production; regularly urged, monitored, and inspected production, transmission, and distribution units; and updated information about the management over the operation of the electricity system (power sources and transmission grids) on a weekly basis.

Implementing the above directives, EVN has established the Steering Committee for Electricity Supply Assurance in 2024 and working groups with the tasks of building, compiling, and preparing the electricity supply plan for 2024 while developing and implementing plans for electricity supply concurrently with energy-saving programs, electricity demand management programs, and encouraging load adjustment in non-commercial forms.

The leadership of Bac Giang Province pledges to ensure sufficient power supply for businesses - photo: Chinh Cong

EVN has also worked with localities to report on the electricity supply situation during the hot season and in 2024. The group proposed that provincial People's Committees, departments, agencies, and sectors coordinate with power companies in the localities to ensure electricity supply.

Regional and provincial power companies have developed electricity supply plans for 2024 to submit to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade and People's Committee for approval, serving as a basis for the management of electricity supply in localities.

In an interview with the Vietnam Economic News, Vu Hoang Hai, Deputy Director of Bac Giang Power Company, stated that Bac Giang Province and the company are actively promoting communications for people and businesses to use electricity efficiently and effectively before the hot season. In addition, the company has developed the best electricity supply plan to prevent power shortages for people and businesses.