EVN prepares emissions control upgrades for 30 coal-fired power units

Participants attend the meeting on March 10, 2026.

According to EVN’s technical departments and power generation units, the upgrades are required to comply with the new national regulation on industrial emissions (QCVN 19:2024/BTNMT), which will officially take effect on January 1, 2032. Among EVN’s 14 thermal power plants, 30 generating units with a combined capacity of 14,324 MW will need to undergo emissions control system upgrades.

EVN’s generation corporations (GENCOs) and thermal power plants are currently preparing investment projects, completing technical documentation, and reviewing implementation plans at key facilities, including Hai Phong, Pha Lai 2, Quang Ninh, and Uong Bi. Technical solutions, equipment procurement, and construction plans are also being reviewed to ensure efficient project execution.

Several units have proposed integrating the upgrades with scheduled maintenance and major overhauls of generating units. In addition, phased construction approaches are being considered, allowing certain works to be carried out while the units remain in operation. Units would only be shut down during the final integration stage. This approach aims to minimize outage time while maintaining electricity supply to the system.

EVN also emphasized the need for close coordination with the National System and Market Operation Company (NSMO) when planning unit shutdown schedules in line with real operating conditions. At the same time, the upgrade program will be implemented alongside measures to strengthen system reliability, including accelerating key transmission projects, installing voltage-support equipment, and studying the deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS). These solutions are expected to help ensure system stability when some thermal units are temporarily offline for environmental upgrades.

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung, Deputy General Director of NSMO, expressed support for the initiative to upgrade emissions treatment systems to meet increasingly stringent environmental standards. However, he noted that scheduling unit shutdowns remains challenging due to the limited reserve capacity of the Northern power system.

A representative of the Power Project Management Board 2 speaks at the meeting.

To address this challenge, NSMO will apply a “first registered, first prioritized” principle for projects that have completed technical documentation and EPC contracts. Shutdown schedules will be coordinated based on project readiness, load demand, and system reserve capacity.

In this context, battery energy storage systems (BESS) are considered a strategic solution. BESS can shift load by charging during off-peak hours and discharging during peak periods, while also providing rapid voltage support to stabilize the system, particularly in areas where local thermal power generation is temporarily unavailable.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung, Deputy General Director of NSMO: In the context of thermal power units being shut down for upgrades, battery energy storage systems (BESS) will be a strategic solution.

To prepare for the critical period of 2026–2027, NSMO is working closely with EVN to assess detailed installation needs and propose early investment in BESS systems.

In the coming period, NSMO will continue to work closely with EVN to calculate appropriate system operating modes, update technical parameters, and support generation units in developing suitable shutdown schedules, particularly during the dry-season peak when electricity demand is high. In addition, NSMO has requested the units to prepare complete technical documentation, project schedules, and construction plans to ensure that system dispatch coordination can be carried out proactively and efficiently.

EVN Deputy General Director Pham Le Phu delivers the closing remarks at the meeting.

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Pham Le Phu emphasized that upgrading emissions control systems at coal-fired power plants is a key task to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and support the sustainable development of the power sector. At the same time, implementation must be carefully planned to avoid affecting the electricity supply for the economy.

EVN has requested its generation corporations and thermal power plants to accelerate investment procedures, finalize technical documentation, and complete contractor selection to ensure timely implementation. Units are encouraged to adopt technical solutions that minimize shutdown time by completing as much work as possible while the units remain in operation.

EVN also called for continued coordination with NSMO to develop appropriate system operation plans and adjust shutdown schedules based on project progress. Regular information exchange and timely reporting of challenges will help ensure that the upgrades are implemented effectively while maintaining the safe and stable operation of the national power system./.