CIRCULAR

PRESCRIBING BLACK START AND RESTORATION OF NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 98/2017/ND-CP dated August 18, 2017 defining the Functions, Tasks, Powers and Organizational Structure of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam;

Pursuant to the Law on Electricity dated December 03, 2004 and the Law on amendments to the Law on Electricity dated November 20, 2012;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 137/2013/ND-CP dated October 21, 2013 providing guidelines for implementation of the Law on Electricity and the Law on amendments to the Law on Electricity;

At the request of the General Director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam;

The Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam promulgates a Circular prescribing black start and restoration of the national electrical system.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope

This Circular provides principles and responsibilities of individuals and entities involved in the black start that restores the national electrical system to normal operation in the event of a blackout.

Article 2. Regulated entities

This Circular applies to:

1. National load dispatch entity.

2. Electrical generation entities.               

3. Electrical transmission entities.

4. Electrical distribution entities.

5. Electrical distribution and retailing entities.

6. Electrical telecommunications service providers.

7. Operation executives of the abovementioned entities.

8. Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

9. Other relevant organizations and individuals.

Article 3. Definitions

For the purposes of this Circular, these terms are construed as follows:

1. “dispatch body vested with control authority” means a dispatch body that has the rights to command and dispatch the electrical system in accordance with applicable regulations on hierarchical management of dispatch tasks.

2. “national dispatch body” means the dispatch body vested with the highest authority to command and dispatch the national electrical system. The National Load Dispatch Center shall act as the national dispatch body.

3. “regional dispatch body” means a dispatch body that takes charge of commanding and dispatching a regional electrical system and bears the command management of the national dispatch body. Regional dispatch bodies include Northern load dispatch center, Southern load dispatch center, and Central load dispatch center.

4. “provincial distribution dispatch body” means a dispatch body that takes charge of commanding and dispatching the electrical distribution system of a province or central-affiliated city, and bears the command management of the relevant regional dispatch body. Provincialdistribution dispatch bodies include dispatch bodies affiliated to Hanoi City Power Corporation and Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation, and provincial/city power companies affiliated to Power Corporations.

5. “district distribution dispatch body” means a dispatch body that takes charge of commanding and dispatching the electrical distributionsystem of an urban/suburban district in a province or central-affiliated city, bears the command management of the relevant provincial distributiondispatch body, and shall be established depending on the organizational structure, scale and level of the provincial/city distribution automation system.

6. “normal operation” means the mode of operation of which operation parameters are maintained within the permissible limits set out in regulations on electrical transmission systems and regulations on electrical distribution systems adopted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

7. “dispatching” means the act of commanding and controlling the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the national electrical system according to defined procedures, technical regulations and methods of operation.

8. “dispatcher” means a person who directly takes charge of commanding and dispatching the electrical system under his/her control authority, including:

a) National dispatchers;

b) Regional dispatchers;

c) Distribution dispatchers of provinces or central-affiliated cities (hereinafter referred to as “provincial distribution dispatchers”);

d) District distribution dispatchers.

9. “national dispatcher” means a person who directly takes charge of commanding and dispatching the national electrical system in accordance with applicable regulations on hierarchical management of dispatch tasks set out in Procedures for dispatching of national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

10. “regional dispatcher” means a person who directly takes charge of commanding and dispatching the regional electrical system in accordance with applicable regulations on hierarchical management of dispatch tasks set out in Procedures for dispatching of national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

11. “provincial distribution dispatcher” means a person who directly takes charge of commanding and dispatching the electrical distribution system in accordance with applicable regulations on hierarchical management of dispatch tasks set out in Procedures for dispatching of national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

12. “provincial distribution dispatcher” means a person who directly takes charge of commanding and dispatching the electrical distribution system in accordance with applicable regulations on hierarchical management of dispatch tasks set out in Procedures for dispatching of national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

13. “electrical telecommunication service provider” means an entity that is licensed to provide telecommunication services and provides communication channel services for electricity entities to serve their dispatching and operation of electrical systems.

14. “national load dispatch entity” means an entity that takes charge of commanding and controlling the process of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity within the national electrical system, including:

a) National dispatch body;

b) Regional dispatch bodies.

15. “electrical generation entity” means an electricity entity that owns one or several power plants connected to the national electrical system and is licensed to operate in the electrical generation sector.

16. “electrical distribution entity” means an electricity entity that is licensed to distribute and sell electricity, including:

a) Power Corporations;

b) Provincial/city power companies affiliated to power corporations (hereinafter referred as “provincial power companies”).

17. “electrical distribution and retailing entity” means an electricity entity that is licensed to distribute and retail electricity or purchase electricity in bulk from an electrical wholesaler or electrical distribution entity for retailing to electricity customers.

18. “electrical transmission entity” means an electricity entity that is licensed to operate in the electrical transmission sector, and is responsible for management and operation of the national transmission system.

19. “electrical system” means a system consisting of interconnected generation facilities, electrical grids and other auxiliary facilities.

20. “regional electrical system” means an electrical system with a voltage of up to 220 kV and boundaries determined according to those of Northern, Central and Southern regions.

21. “eletcrical distribution system” means an electrical system consisting of the electrical distribution grid and power plants connected thereto for supply of electricity for electricity customers.

22. “national electrical system” means an electrical system that is synchronously controlled on a nationwide scale.

23. “electrical transmission system” means an electrical system consisting of an electrical transmission grid and power plants connected thereto.

24. “black start capability” means the ability of a power plant to start up at least one of its generating sets from a whole shutdown and be synchronized to the electrical grid without receiving the supply from a regional electrical grid.

25. “electrical system restoration” means a sequence of operations performed to restart equipment of an electrical system after a blackout.

26. “black start” means the process of restoring the entire (or parts) of the electrical system from a total (or partial) shutdown by using black start capable generating sets.

27. “black start power plant” means the power plant that is capable of black start and is selected to participate in the process of black start and restoration of the national electrical system.

28. “ off-grid self-consumption power plant” means a power plant that is designed in a manner that allows some of its generating sets to be automatically disconnected from the electrical system to supply power to its self-consumption system or support local loading.

29. “off-grid independent-generation power plant” means a power plant that is disconnected form the national electrical system but still generates electricity to meet load demand of a region through the power lines connecting the power plant to the electrical substation of that region.

30. “operation executive” means a person who directly participates in the control of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, and works in shifts, including:

a) Dispatchers of dispatching bodies at all levels;

b) Shift leaders, team leaders, chief watch officers and deputy chief watch officers of power plants or operation control centers for clusters of power plants;

c) Shift leaders, chief watch officers and deputy chief watch officers of electrical substations or operation control centers for groups of electrical substations;

d) Grid operators.

31. “blackout” means the disconnection between power plants and/or electrical substations resulting in the total or partial loss of power to a regional or national electrical system.

32. “important electrical equipment” means electricity-consumed equipment which may adversely affect the national security, cause serious environmental pollution, pose threat to human life, or cause significant economic loss when the power is lost.

33. “UPS” means a system that is used to ensure an uninterruptible supply of power for important electrical equipment for a given period of time when the input power source fails.

Chapter II

PRINCIPLES FOR BLACK START AND RESTORATION OF NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Article 4. Selection of black start power plants

A power plant that is selected as a black start power plant of the national electrical system shall be required to meet all of the following criteria:

1. The power plant is directly connected to an electrical system of a voltage of at least 220 kV, if it is a major black start power plant, or of at least 110 kV if it is a standby black start power plant.

2. It is equipped with an automatic frequency control system and is capable of maintaining the frequency within the permissible limits according to regulations on electrical transmission systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

3. It is equipped with an automatic voltage control system and is capable of maintaining the voltage within the permissible limits according to regulations on electrical transmission systems and regulations on electrical distribution systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

4. The period for black start of generating sets does not exceed 10 minutes, in case of a major black start power plant, or does not exceed 20 minutes, in case of a standby black start power plant.

Article 5. Location of black start power plant

1. There is at least a power plant capable of black start at important locations of the national electrical system. Equipment capable of black start of the power plant must be specified in the connection agreement, power purchase agreement or black start service contract.

2. National load dispatch entities shall:

a) determine important locations of the national electrical system at which power plants capable of black start are established;

b) based on the approved national power development plan, propose the list of power plants to be equipped to have black start capability in each period;

c) cooperate with electrical transmission entities, electrical distribution entities, and electrical generation entities in the course of reaching connection agreements in determining specific black start requirements for each power plant.

3. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam shall make the list of black start power plants available to the public.

Article 6. Principles for response to blackouts and restoration of electrical systems

Response to blackout and restoration of an electrical system must adhere to the following principles:

1. Appropriate measures must be employed to restore the electrical system in the shortest amount of time.

2. Frequency and voltage must be maintained within the permissible limits during the process of restoration of the electrical system, provided that synchronization or loop automation requirements must be met according to operations procedures for national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam so as to prevent the recurrence of blackout or damage to electrical equipment in the course of restoration of the electrical system.

3. The power supplied for self-consumption systems of power plants, electrical substations and electricity customers must be promptly restored when the power is lost. The power is restored to electricicty customers according to the order of priority determined by the provincial People's Committee.

4. During the process of response to blackout and restoration of the electrical system, operation executives shall comply with the provisions of this Circular, technical regulations and standards of Vietnam, specialized regulations and procedures, other provisions of relevant laws, and safety standards of electrical equipment announced by their manufacturers.

Article 7. Principles for black start and restoration of electrical system

1. Restart generating sets of the black start power plant of the electricity system to supply power for self-consumption by the power plant.

2. Restore electrical substations of the major black or standby start power plant. In case the electrical system has no black start power plant or off-grid independent-generation power plant, substations will be restored through power lines connected from other electrical systems.

3. Shut down electrical lines connecting the restored substation to surrounding power plants and/or substations in turn. Restore electrical substations, synchronize generating sets of the power plant, and synchronize off-grid self-consumption power plants and off-grid independent-generation power plants. During the restoration of an electrical substation, the load of the electrical substation will be restored in a manner that meets frequency and voltage control requirements.

4. Shut down connection lines and synchronize with other electrical systems, and restore the national electrical system to normal operation

5. Restore load according to the capability of the national electrical system and in a manner that the electricity customers included in the list of critical electricity customers approved by the provincial People’s Committee will be prioritized over other electricity customers.

Article 8. Costs of investment and maintenance of black start system

1. Costs of maintenance of the availability of the black start system are considered legitimate and valid expenses of the power plant, and will be determined according to the following rules:

a) With regard to large-scale power plants which have special importance in socio-economic development, national defense and security: Such costs will be included in the estimate of total annual expenses formulated and submitted by EVN to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam for approval for the period of operation of the competitive electricity generation market and included in the electricity prices of the power plants when Vietnam wholesale electricity market starts its official operation;

b) With regard to power plants providing quick-start reserve or must-run operation reserve services for ensuring security of the electrical system: Such costs will be included in the annual auxiliary service prices of power plants;

c) With regard to power plants that have entered into power purchase agreements of which prices have been determined: Electrical generation entities shall calculate annual costs of maintaining the availability of their black start systems, and carry out negotiation and conclusion of black start service contracts with EVN.

2. With regard to power plants that wish to build black start systems after this Circular becomes effective, in addition to the conclusion of power purchase agreements as prescribed, electrical generation entities shall carry out negotiation and conclusion of black start service contracts with EVN, and ensure costs of depreciation and maintenance of their black start systems.

Chapter III

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ENTITIES PARTICIPATING IN BLACK START AND RESTORATION OF NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Article 9. Responsibilities of Vietnam Electricity

1. Consider giving approval for the plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system which is formulated, updated or revised by the national dispatch body.

2. Submit reports to the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam on the annually updated plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system when approving the plan for operation of the national electrical system for the following year or when it is updated or revised.

3. Submit the list of black start power plants to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam for making it available to the public.

4. Carry out negotiation and conclusion of black start service contracts with electrical generation entities that have entered into power purchase agreements or auxiliary service contracts and are included in the list of black start power plants.

5. Calculate and include costs of maintenance of the black start system in the annual electricity pricing plan for making payments to black start power plants.

Article 10. Responsibilities of national dispatch body

1. Command the process of black start and restoration of the electrical system with a voltage of 500 kV.

2. Formulate the annual plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system with a voltage of at least 220 kV and update or revise the plan in case where there are major changes in the power source and electrical grid which significantly affect the plan, and submit them to EVN for approval.

3. Make the list of black start power plants and add qualified power plants to the list in conformity with the plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system; remove the power plants that have lost the black start capability and are considered unnecessary from the plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system, and submit report on such removal to EVN.

4. Make reports and notify the blackout of the national electrical system according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical transmission systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

5. Organize professional training and refresher courses in black start and restoration of the national electrical system, and organize drills in black start and restoration of the national electrical system for national dispatchers at least once a year.

6. Participate in inspection of drills in black start and restoration of regional electrical systems which are organized for:

a) Regional dispatchers;

b) Shift leaders of power plants or clusters of power plants under its control authority;

c) Shift leaders or chief watch officers of 500 kV electrical substations or operation control centers for groups of electrical substations.

7. Play the leading role in convening relevant entities to analyze and find out causes of blackouts of the national electrical system and regional electrical systems and propose preventive measures.

8. Calculate settings of protective relays that automatically respond to blackouts of the national electrical system and regional electrical systems. Calculate settings of protective relays that serve the automatically black start, self-consumption off-grid or independent-generation off-grid of power plants under its control authority.

Article 11. Responsibilities of regional dispatch bodies

1. Command the control of frequency and voltage of the whole (or part) of the regional electrical system which is off-grid the national electrical system.

2. Command the black start and restoration of the regional electrical system under their control authority.

3. Participate in the formulation of the plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system with a voltage of 220 kV under their control authority.

4. Formulate the plan for black start and restoration of the regional electrical system with a voltage of 110 kV and submit it to the national dispatch body for approval.

5. Make reports and notify the blackout of the regional electrical system according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical transmission systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

6. Organize professional training courses in black start and restoration of the regional electrical system, and organize drills in black start and restoration of the regional electrical system with a voltage of at least 110 kV under their control authority for regional dispatchers at least once a year.

7. Participate in inspection of drills in black start and restoration of electrical systems for:

a) Provincial distribution dispatchers affiliated to regional dispatch body;

b) Shift leaders of power plants or clusters of power plants under their control authority;

c) Shift leaders or chief watch officers of electrical substations under their watch control authority at electrical substations or operation control centers of electrical substations.

8. Play the leading role in convening relevant entities to analyze and find out causes of regional blackouts of the regional electrical system and propose preventive measures.

9. Calculate settings of protective relays that are automatically respond to blackouts of the regional electrical system. Calculate settings of protective relays that serve the automatically black start, self-consumption off-grid or independent-generation off-grid of power plants under their control authority.

Article 12. Responsibilities of provincial distribution dispatch bodies

1. Comply with command and dispatch orders of regional dispatch bodies to restore the load power of the electrical distribution systems.

2. Command the restoration of the electrical distribution system under their control authority.

3. Participate in the formulation of the plan for black start and restoration of the regional electrical systems with a voltage of 220 kV or 110 kV.

4. Formulate the plan for restoration of the electrical distribution system under their control authority on the basis of restoration of load according to the capability of the national electrical system and in a manner that the electricity customers included in the list of critical electricity customers approved by the provincial People’s Committee will be prioritized over other electricity customers.

5. Make reports and notify the blackout of the electrical distribution system according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical distribution systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

6. Organize professional training courses in restoration of the electrical systems under their control authority, and organize drills in restoration of electrical distribution systems under their control authority for provincial distribution dispatchers at least once a year.

7. Participate in inspection of drills in restoration of electrical distribution systems for:

a) District distribution dispatchers in the province;

b) Shift leaders of power plants or clusters of power plants under their control authority;

c) Shift leaders or chief watch officers of electrical substations under their watch control authority at electrical substations or operation control centers of electrical substations.

8. Play the leading role in convening relevant entities to analyze and find out causes of blackouts of the electrical distribution systems and propose preventive measures.

9. Calculate settings of protective relays that are automatically respond to blackouts of the electrical distribution systems.

Article 13. Responsibilities of district distribution dispatch bodies

1. Comply with command and dispatch orders of provincial dispatch bodies to restore the load power of the electrical distribution systems.

2. Command the restoration of the electrical distribution systems under their control authority.

3. Participate in the formulation of the plan for restoration of relevant electrical distribution systems with a voltage of 110 kV and of medium voltage.

4. Formulate the plan for restoration of the electrical distribution systems under their control authority.

5. Make reports and notify the blackouts of the electrical distribution systems under their control authority according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical distribution systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

6. Organize professional training courses in restoration of the electrical systems under their control authority, and organize drills in restoration of electrical distribution systems under their control authority for district distribution dispatchers at least once a year.

Article 14. Responsibilities of electrical generation entities owning black start power plants

1. Ensure the availability of methods and equipment for successful black start.

2. Promptly take actions against failures of equipment of power plants, and transfer equipment for putting into operation in the shortest amount of time after the failure.

3. Promulgate procedures for black start of power plants after obtaining approval from the national dispatch body.

4. Implement the procedures for black start of power plants when a blackout event occurs, and ensure the availability of shutdown of power lines connecting the power plant with the national electrical system according to the command and dispatch orders of the national dispatch body vested with control authority.

5. Participate in the formulation of the plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system or a regional electrical system.

6. Carry out periodical inspection and maintenance of direct current (DC) systems according to their own procedures, and ensure that the DC system will not fail in case of power loss in alternating current (AC) systems.

7. Carry out periodical inspection, maintenance and trial run of standby diesel power system according to their own procedures, and ensure that the standby diesel power system is in good operation to supply power for the AC system in case the generating sets are incapable of serving black start.

8. Carry out at least a trial operation of generating sets and major electrical equipment, and relevant auxiliary systems and equipment to check the black start capability of the power plant every 03 months.

9. Organize training courses for operation executives who are required to meet their relevant job position requirements when participating in the black start process.

10. Organize at least a black start drill on the scale of the entire power plant every year with the participation by dispatch bodies vested with control authority, including the following tasks: arrange operation executives, materials and equipment, and carry out the drill according to the predetermined scenario from the commanding stage to the performance of operations to black start the entire power plant.

Article 15. Responsibilities of electrical generation entities owning off-grid self-consumption power plants

1. Ensure the availability of methods and equipment for successful self-consumption off-grid.

2. Promptly take actions against failures of equipment of power plants, and transfer equipment for putting into operation in the shortest amount of time after the failure.

3. Promulgate self-consumption off-grid procedures of the power plant after obtaining approval from the dispatch body vested with the highest control authority.

4. Implement the procedures for self-consumption off-grid of the power plant when a blackout event occurs, and ensure the availability of shutdown of power lines connecting the power plant with the national electrical system according to the command and dispatch orders of the national dispatch body vested with control authority.

5. Participate in the formulation of the plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system or a regional electrical system.

6. Carry out periodical inspection and maintenance of DC systems according to their own procedures, and ensure that the DC system will not fail in case of power loss in AC systems.

7. Carry out periodical inspection, maintenance and trial run of standby diesel power system (if available) according to their own procedures, and ensure that the standby diesel power system is in good operation to supply power for the AC system in case of unsuccessful self-consumption off-grid.

8. Carry out at least a trial operation of generating sets and major electrical equipment, and relevant auxiliary systems and equipment to check the self-consumption off-grid capability of the power plant every 03 months.

9. Organize training courses for operation executives who are required to meet their relevant job position requirements when participating in the operation of self-consumption off-grid equipment. Organize at least a self-consumption off-grid drill on the scale of the entire power plant every year, including the following tasks: arrange operation executives, materials and equipment, and carry out the drill according to the predetermined scenario from the commanding stage to the performance of self-consumption off-grid operations for the entire power plant.

Article 16. Responsibilities of other electrical generation entities

Electrical generation entities whose power plants are not selected to perform black start tasks or are not equipped with self-consumption off-grid system shall perform the following tasks:

1. Ensure the methods of operation of dispatch bodies vested with control authority.

2. Promptly take actions against failures of equipment of power plants, and transfer equipment for putting into operation in the shortest amount of time after the failure.

3. Promulgate procedures for response to loss of power of the entire power plant.

4. Participate in the formulation of the plan for black start and restoration of the national electrical system or a regional electrical system.

5. Carry out periodical inspection and maintenance of DC systems according to their own procedures, and ensure that the DC system will not fail in case of power loss in AC systems.

6. Carry out periodical inspection, maintenance and trial run of standby diesel power system (if available) according to their own procedures, and ensure that the standby diesel power system is in good operation to supply power for the important electrical equipment in case of blackouts.

7. Organize training courses for operation executives who must be qualified to participate in the process of response to loss of power of the entire power plant. Organize at least a drill in response to loss of power of the entire power plant every year.

Article 17. Responsibilities of electrical transmission entities

1. Ensure quality of electrical transmission services.

2. Promptly take actions against failures of power lines and electrical substations, and transfer equipment for putting into operation in the shortest amount of time after the failure.

3. Carry out periodical inspection and maintenance of DC systems of electrical stations according to their own procedures, and ensure that the DC system will not fail in case of power loss in AC systems.

4. Carry out periodical inspection, maintenance and trial run of standby diesel power system (if available) according to their own procedures, and ensure that the standby diesel power system is in good operation to supply power for the important electrical equipment in case of blackouts.

5. Organize training courses for operation executives who are required to meet their relevant job position requirements when participating in the process of response to loss of power of the entire electrical substation. Organize at least a drill in response to loss of power of the entire electrical substation every year.

Article 18. Responsibilities of electrical distribution entities, electrical distribution and retailing entities

1. Promptly take actions against failures of power lines and electrical substations, and transfer equipment for putting into operation in the shortest amount of time after the failure.

2. Carry out periodical inspection and maintenance of DC systems of electrical stations with a voltage of 110 kV according to their own procedures, and ensure that the DC system will not fail in case of power loss in AC systems.

3. Provide lists of critical electricity consumers approved by provincial People’s Committees for provincial distribution dispatch bodies.

4. Notify suspension or reduction in supply of electricity for electricity customers according to regulations on conditions and procedures for suspension and reduction in power supply promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

5. Participate in inspection of the transfer switch system that redistributes power from the national electrical grid to a customer’s backup source of power at the request of competent authorities.

6. Operate the electrical distribution system when responding to the blackout and restoring the electrical distribution system according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical distribution systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

7. Organize training courses for operation executives who are required to meet their relevant job position requirements when participating in the process of response to loss of power of the entire electrical substation. Organize at least a drill in response to loss of power of the entire electrical substation every year.

Article 19. Responsibilities of electrical telecommunications service providers

1. Ensure uninterrupted, stable, safe and reliable operation of communication channels serving the dispatch and operation of electrical systems.

2. Promptly take actions against problems or anomalies in communication channels serving the dispatch and operation of electrical systems under their management. Promptly notify relevant entities of problems that affect or interrupt the flow of communication in the course of dispatch and operation of electrical systems.

3. Carry out periodical inspection, maintenance and trial run of standby diesel power system and UPS according to their own procedures, and ensure that these systems are always in good operation.

4. Organize training courses for their operation executives who must be qualified to take actions against against problems or anomalies in communication channels serving the dispatch and operation of electrical systems in case of power loss in the national electrical grid.

Article 20. Responsibilities of entities owning important electrical equipment

1. Equip transfer switch systems to redistribute power from the national electrical grid to a backup source of power in accordance with regulations of law, and ensure that important electrical equipment will be maintained in normal operation or will not fail in case of power loss in the national electrical grid.

2. Carry out periodical inspection, maintenance and trial run of standby diesel power system (if available) or UPS according to their own procedures, and ensure that these systems are always in good operation.

3. Organize training courses for their operation executives who must be qualified to respond to the power loss in the national electrical grid.

Chapter IV

TASKS OF OPERATION EXECUTIVES

Article 21. Tasks of shift leaders of black start power plants or operation control centers of power plant clusters consisting of black start power plants

1. Command the start-up process of generating sets to supply power for the power plant’s self-consumption system.

2. Respond to the power loss of the entire power plant according to the power plant's black start procedures and procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

3. Make necessary preparations for shutdown of power lines connecting the power plant to the electrical system according to orders given by a dispatch body vested with control authority.

Article 22. Tasks of shift leaders of off-grid self-consumption power plants or operation control centers of power plant clusters consisting of off-grid self-consumption power plants

1. Command the control of power and voltage of generating sets that supply power for the self-consumption system of the power plant and support local load (if any).

2. Respond to incidents according to their internal self-consumption off-grid procedures and procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

3. Make necessary preparations for synchronization of the power plant to the electrical system according to orders given by a dispatch body vested with control authority.

Article 23. Tasks of shift leaders of off-grid independent-generation power plants or operation control centers of power plant clusters consisting of off-grid independent-generation power plants

1. Respond to incidents according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and independent-generation off-grid procedures (if any); proactively make adjustments to maintain the frequency and voltage within the permissible limits set out in regulations on electrical transmission systems and regulations on electrical distribution systems adopted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

2. Notify superior dispatch bodies of frequency oscillation and voltage for cooperation. Make necessary preparations for synchronization of the power plant to the electrical system according to orders given by a dispatch body vested with control authority.

Article 24. Tasks of operation executives of power plants, operation control centers of power plant clusters, electrical substations, and operation control centers of electrical substation groups

Operation executives of power plants (except black start power plants, off-grid self-consumption power plants, and off-grid independent-generation power plants), operation control centers of power plant clusters, electrical substations, or operation control centers of electrical substation groups shall perform the following tasks:

1. Respond to the power loss of the entire power plant or electrical substation according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the power plant or electrical substation’s internal incident response procedures.

2. Start up the standby diesel power system (if available), and enable the self-consumption system to receive power from the standby diesel power system and deliver power for important electrical equipment according to their internal procedures.

3. Make necessary preparations for putting equipment of the power plant or electrical substation into operation according to orders of their superior operation executives.

Article 25. Tasks of national dispatchers

1. Command the control of frequency and voltage of the off-grid independent-generation power plant connected to 500 kV voltage system; command the black start and restoration of electrical systems with a voltage of 500 kV.

2. Command the process of response to the power loss of the entire power plant or electrical substation under their control authority according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

3. Command the black start and restoration of the electrical systems under their control authority according to the approved plans.

4. Cooperate with regional dispatchers in restoring regional electrical systems or electrical systems under their control authority from regional electrical systems.

5. Cooperate with relevant regional dispatchers in restoring connections between regional electrical systems through 220 kV power lines.

6. Make reports and notify incidents according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical transmission systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

Article 26. Tasks of regional dispatchers

1. Command the control of frequency and voltage of the off-grid independent-generation power plant connected to 220 kV or 110 kV voltage system; command the black start and restoration of regional electrical systems with a voltage of 220 kV or 110 kV under their control authority.

2. Command the process of response to the power loss of the entire power plant or electrical substation under their control authority according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

3. Command the black start and restoration of regional electrical systems under their control authority according to the approved plans.

4. Cooperate with national dispatchers in restoring the national electrical system or regional electrical systems from the national electrical system. Restore the load power of regional electrical systems at the request of national dispatchers.

5. Cooperate with national dispatchers and other regional dispatchers in restoring connections between regional electrical systems through 220 kV or 110 kV power lines.

6. Make reports and notify incidents according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical transmission systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

Article 27. Tasks of provincial distribution dispatchers

1. Command the control of frequency and voltage of off-grid independent-generation power plants connected to a voltage of up to 35 kV; command the restoration of electrical distribution systems under their control authority according to the approved plans.

2. Command the process of response to the power loss of the entire power plant or electrical substation under their control authority according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

3. Restore the load power of electrical distribution systems at the request of regional dispatchers and in the approved order of priority.

4. Cooperate with regional dispatchers and other provincial distribution dispatchers in restoring connections between electrical distribution systems through power lines of a voltage of 35 kV or lower.

5. Make reports and notify incidents according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical distribution systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

Article 28. Tasks of district distribution dispatchers

1. Command the restoration of the electrical distribution systems under their control authority according to the approved plans.

2. Command the process of response to the power loss of the entire power plant or electrical substation under their control authority according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

3. Restore the load power of electrical distribution systems at the request of provincial distribution dispatchers and in the approved order of priority.

4. Cooperate with provincial distribution dispatchers and other district distribution dispatchers in restoring connections between electrical distribution systems through power lines of a voltage of 35 kV or lower.

5. Make reports and notify incidents according to procedures for response to incidents involving the national electrical system and regulations on electrical distribution systems promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 29. Implementation organization

1. The Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam shall disseminate, instruct and inspect the implementation of this Circular; submit reports to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam for publishing of the list of black start power plants.

2. EVN shall direct its member units to implement this Circular.

Article 30. Effect

1. This Circular comes into force from December 12, 2017, and supersedes the Decision No. 35/2007/QD-BCN dated August 02, 2007 of the Minister of Industry.

2. Difficulties that arise during the implementation of this Circular should be reported to the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam for consideration and resolution within its competence or reporting the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam for consideration./.

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