In February 2021, the government of Vietnam released a draft of the country’s latest national power development plan (PDP 8) for 2021 to 2030. The draft PDP 8 expands wind and solar capacity and improves grid (输电网) infrastructure to ensure that the stable operation with a higher share of renewable energy.

Vietnam increasingly relies on coal imports because coal-fired power plants have been used to meet the rapidly increasing electricity demand. More than half of Vietnam’s electricity generation came from coal in 2020. The country also relies heavily on hydroeletric generation (水利发电) and is home to a number of large rivers. However, hydro’s reliability is affected by droughts and water shortages. Non-hydro renewable sources, such as wind and solar, made up 5% of Vietnam’s electricity generation in 2020.

Expanding non-hydro renewable capacity will likely help Vietnam rely less on coal,reduce carbon emissions (排放), and increases electricity generating capacity. With its strong emphasis on renewables, the draft PDP 8 is quite different from previous plans, which rely heavily on coal,hydropower and natural gas sources.

However, Vietnam’s underdeveloped grid hampers (阻碍) these capacity additions. Some of the country’s transmission lines are operating at a full load or are overloaded, especially in the region where solar capacity in concentrated. Electricity producers have reduced generation from renewables because of grid limitations. The country needs new transmission and distribution infrastructure to accommodate capacity additions and transmit electricity to where it is needed.

One major grid development underway is a 461-mile transmission line extension with three 500-kilovolt transmission lines. These transmission lines will connect nine cities and provinces across central and southern Vietnam.

【小题1】Which did Vietnam rely on most for power generation in 2020?

A．Wind.

B．Water.

C．Coal.

D．Sunlight.

【小题2】What’s special about the draft PDP 8 compared to previous plans?

A．It is more environmentally friendly.

B．It depends more on hydroelectric power.

C．It is less expensive and far more efficient.

D．It meets the country’s growing electricity needs.

【小题3】How will Vietnam keep pace with its capacity growth?

A．By reducing solar capacity.	B．By repairing transmission lines.
C．By rewarding electricity producers.	D．By strengthening power infrastructure.

【小题4】What is the best title for the text?

A．Vietnam’s energy structure in the future.

B．Vietnam’s latest power plan to expand renewables.

C．Difficulties in expanding clean energy in Vietnam.

D．Measures to develop renewable energy in Vietnam.