On dated September 21st 2007, working with Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Vice Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has agreed with EVN’s solution for coal imported from Indonesia and Australia for thermo-electric factories from Ha Tinh province onwards. Vice Prime Minister has required Ministry of Industry and Trade and EVN to push up discussion, signing the contract for long-term coal purchase and taking part in joint-stock in coal mines in foreign countries in order to take active for coal serving thermo-electric centres.
In this essay, we will discuss the possibility of coal imported from Indonesia.
According to Professor, doctor Sukma Saleh Hasibuan, Director of Mineral - Coal and Thermo-geography program Inspection Agency under Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resource Ministry has shown that the situation of coal industry in Indonesia as follows:
Coal resource accounted for about 61.3 billion tonnes, of which, 6.7 billion tonnes can be exploited.
Exploited coal ouput showed 93 million tonnes in 2006, an increase to 240 million tonnes towards 2010; 280 million tonnes towards 2015; 320 million tonnes towards 2020 and 370 million tonnes towards 2025. Thus, up to the year 2025, coal output will be increase to two folds compare to present.
However, with coal requirement forecast for domestic utilization and above-said coal output, expecting to next periods, coal exported from Indonesia will be reach as follows: In 2010: 142 million tonnes; In 2015: 143 million tonnes; In 2020: 124 million tonnes; In 2025: 68 million tonnes.
It is difficult for Vietnam to import coal from Indonesia because of main reasons: The requirements for coal in Indonesia, especially, coal requirements for electricity that Vietnam has to import, are on increasing, the remaining coal for export is in decreasing remarkably compare to present; So-call coal exported from Indonesia, but it really belongs to foreign investors transfering to them; Many countries in the region, including ASEAN’s countries have also requirements for coal imported from Indonesia.
It aims to settlle successfully coal importation, some issues must be carried out as follows:
Making overall study of world coal industry, some countries possess potentials of high coal content as well as their policies, development strategy, foreign investment, export possibility for their coal industry; on these basic, evaluating Vietnam capacity for coal importation, immediate and long-term investment for coal exploitation; Some capable countries in importing coal and short - medium and long - term investment for importing coal.
- Establishing up strategy for coal importation and investment for coal exploitation, at the same time, with developed planning for coal import utilization reasonably
Neccessary policies must be suggested, implementing timely strategy for coal importation and invested strategy to overseas in coal exploitation.
Coal importation for electric power production must be in consideration on the basis of social - economic effectiveness. Besides that, establishing up developed planning for coal industry at Hong River delta, including making a study of suitable coal exploited technology, ensuring effective coal exploitation, safety and environment protection.
