Possible delays in constructions of many thermal power plants in the country might postpone Vietnam s plans to resume coal imports.
According to country s Energy ministry, the country is now likely to import coal only from 2015, not 2013 as earlier forecast.
However, Heavy Industry Department said firms should start looking for foreign coal suppliers immediately to ensure there is no delay.
Besides Australia and Indonesia, Viet Nam can also source coal from Russia by buying stakes in mines there or purchasing the right to mine or buy coal, it said.
Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) said the Government had tasked his firm with importing coal for power plants but no investor had discussed the issue yet.
However, more companies can enter the coal import business as long as they follow Government rules, according to the ministry.
The steering committee will draft a legal framework to regulate coal imports.
It is not clear yet but Viet Nam may have to import between 3 million and 15 million tones of coal a year by 2015 and 21 million to 40 million by 2020 as more and more coal-fired power plants are built.
According to country s Energy ministry, the country is now likely to import coal only from 2015, not 2013 as earlier forecast.
However, Heavy Industry Department said firms should start looking for foreign coal suppliers immediately to ensure there is no delay.
Besides Australia and Indonesia, Viet Nam can also source coal from Russia by buying stakes in mines there or purchasing the right to mine or buy coal, it said.
Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) said the Government had tasked his firm with importing coal for power plants but no investor had discussed the issue yet.
However, more companies can enter the coal import business as long as they follow Government rules, according to the ministry.
The steering committee will draft a legal framework to regulate coal imports.
It is not clear yet but Viet Nam may have to import between 3 million and 15 million tones of coal a year by 2015 and 21 million to 40 million by 2020 as more and more coal-fired power plants are built.
