Hanoi (VNA) - Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, on behalf ofthe Party and the State, presented the “Labour Hero in Renewal Period” title toElectricity of Vietnam (EVN) in recognition of its contributions to national socio-economicdevelopment at a ceremony on December 21 in Hanoi.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung praised EVN forits achievements during its formation and development.

The electricity sector in general and EVN in particular must ensure the stablesupply of electricity at reasonable prices for Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable socio-economicdevelopment.

He suggested the group efficiently exploit and use domestic energy resources incombination with a reasonable level of energy exports and imports, towards turningit into a strong economic group and with a vision to becoming a leading corporationin the energy sector in Vietnam and Asia by 2045.

According to EVN General Director Tran Dinh Nhan, the group has recorded importantachievements during its 66 years, contributing to the cause of national constructionand defence.

In particular, over the last ten years, EVN’s efforts have contributed to ensuringa stable and safe electricity supply, thus promoting high economic growth.

Commercial electricity recorded average growth of 9.7 percent each year in the period.The company has also invested strongly in infrastructure development for electricitygeneration and transmission and power distribution and business.

EVN’s total power capacity reached over 60,000 MW, ranking it second in SoutheastAsia and 23rd in the world.

The national electricity network extends to all parts of the country. The 500 kVnorth-south super-high-voltage transmission line - the “backbone” of Vietnam’s powersystem - has been added a third circuit, ensuring power supply to key economic regionsaround the country.

In implementing its rural electrification programme, EVN brought electricity toall communes nationwide, 99.54 percent of households, and 11 out of 12 island districts.

Automation, remote control, and digitalisation technology have been widely appliedto operating and managing the electrical network, contributing to reducing powerlosses to less than 6.5 percent.

The group ranks 27th in a global access-to-electricity index,helping to improve the national business environment and competitiveness./.