LEGAL DOCUMENTS

THE GOVERNMENT

Decree No.137/2013/ND-CP of October21,2013, detailing a number of articles of the Electricity Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Electricity Law

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Lawon Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to the December 3,2004 Electricity Law and the November 20,2012 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles ofthe Electricity Law;

At the proposal of the Minister of Industry and Trade,

The Government promulgates the Decree detailing a number of articles of the Electricity Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Electricity  Law.

Article 1. Scope of regulation

This Decree details a number of articles of the Electricity Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Electricity Law on planning and investment   in electricity development; management of electricity demand; electricity purchaseand sale; electricity prices; electricity activity licenses; regulation of electricity activities;and examination of electricity activities and  use.

Article 2. Organization of adjustment of electricity development master  plans

1.Electricity development master plans must Ьe adjusted every five years or Ьefore schedule in order to timely meet changing requirements of socio-economic development.

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall formulate and approve the outlines and cost estimates for the adjustment of the national electricity development master plan, including funding for appraisal and publicization; and register state budget plans for the adjustment of the master plan under  regulations.
2. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall organize the  formulation  and approval of the outlinesand cost estimates for the adjustment ofprovincial-level electricity development master plans in the localities,including funding forappraisal and publicization; and arrange local budget plans for the adjustment of the master plans under regulations. 

Article 3. Management, implementation of electricity development master  plans

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

a/ Perform the state management of electricity development master plans; guide the formulation of annual electricity development investment plans based on the approved electricity development master  plans;

b/ Publicize the national electricity development master plan, including approved adjusted master plans;

c/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other ministries and sectors and  provincial-level  People’s Committees in, devising mechanisms and solutions to implement the electricity development master plans for submission to the Prime Minister;

Article 4. Major power plants of particularly important significance

1. Major power plants of particularly important socio-economic, defense, security significance specified in Clause 2, Article 4 of the Electricity Law include:

a/ Nuclear power plants;

b/ A number of hydropower plants.

2.The Minister of Industry and Trade shall suЬmit the list of power plants specified in Clause 1 of this Article to the Prime Minister for approval.

Article 5. Responsibilities to invest in power station construction

1. Electricity generation units shall invest in building power switching and transformer stations within their management to be synchronous with power generation technologies and equipment to be connected with the power system,unless otherwise agreed upon.
2. Electricity transmission and distribution units shall invest in building power transformer and switching stations and reactive power compensation stations within their management, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Article 6. Construction and renovation of power grids

1. 1.The construction of electricity distribution and transmission lines and transformer stations must be designed and use technical facilities and technologies in conformity with technical regulations and national  standards or equivalentor higher foreign standards permitted  for  application  in  Vietnam by competent  state agencies.
2. Electricity transmission and distribution units shall formulate plans and roadmaps to renovate and upgrade existing power distribution and transmission lines and transformer stations toconform with technical regulations and national standards or equivalentor higher foreign standards permitted for application in Vietnam by competent state agencies.
3. Organizations and individuals possessing separate lines and transformer stations shall take responsibility for renovating and upgrading their lines and transformer stations when electricity transmission and distribution units determine that those lines and transformer stations fail  to satisfy operation standards promulgated by competent state agencies.

Article7.Conditionsforpowerworkstobe connected to the national power  grid

1. Electricity works connected to the national power system must satisfy conditions and technical regulations and have connection agreements with power grid management units.
2. 2.The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall stipulate conditions, technical regulations and methods to determine initial connection costs and annual costs for hiring management and operation(if any),the order for connection;and the form of connection agreement.

Article8.Investment support for electricity development in rural,mountainous,and border areas and islands

The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for,  and coordinate with  the Ministry of Industry and Trade in, guiding the implementation of support policies for investment in electricity development in rural, mountainous and border areas and islands and areas with socio-economic difficulties and extreme socio-economic difficulties.

Article9. Management of electriicty demand

Management of electricity demand specified at Point a, Clause1,Article 16 of the Electricity Law covers activities to encourage and guide change of the way of using   electricity; use   of high-efficiency electricity equipment; preventionof power  waste  andreduction of loss of electric power; reduction of peak subload and differences of subload between peak and off-peak hours.

Article 10. Responsibilities for management of electricity demand.

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

a/ Formulate a national program on management of electricity demand to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval, and guide and organize the implementation;

b/ Promulgate technical regulations, guide the implementation of regulations on management of electricity  demand;

c/ Guide electricity units to implement and assess the results of implementation of plans and programs on management of electricity demand;

d/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance shall:

a/ Develop programs and solutions to manage electricity demand, efficient use of electricity of electricity customer groups under their management; incorporate the program’s objectives in local socio-economic development and production plans and examine and assess the implementation; organize and arrange appropriate resources for electricity demand management and efficient use of electricity.

b/Examine, supervise and report the results of implementation of the electricity demand management program and efficient use of electricity of electricity customer groups under their management; and promptly handle cases failing to observe regulations on electricity demand management andefficient use of electricity.

1. Electricity unitsshall:

a/ Plan and organize  the implementation of activities of the national electricity demand management program;

b/ Report on the results of implementation of electricity demand management plansunder regulations.

1. Electricity users shall participate in implementing the national electricity demand management program.

Article 11. Electricity purchase and sale contracts for daily-life purpose

1.Conditions for signing electricity purchase and sale contracts for daily-life  purpose

a/ The buyers must have full civil act capacity as prescribed by law and a written request forpower purchase attached with    a copyof one of the followingpapers: permanent residence or temporary residence Ьook; the house ownership certificate or the housing allocation decision; the valid house purchase contract; the house lease contract with a term of one year or more; the land  use rights certificate (with houses onland); and the notarized or certified house use and management  authorization contract.

b/ The sellers have distribution networks capable of supplying electricity to meet the buyers’ demand.

1. The sellers shall sign the contract and supply power to the buyers within 7 working dayswhenalltheconditionsspecifiedinClause1 of this Article are met.
2. In case there is not yet any power distributionnetworkorthedistributionnetwork is overloaded as certified Ьy the Electricity Regulatory Authority or an authorized agency, within five working days the sellers shallreply the buyers clearly stating the estimated time of electricity supply.
3. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall issuethemodelcontractonelectricitypurchase and sale for daily-life purpose.

Article 12. Security for the performance of electricity purchase and sale  contracts

1.The buyers that are electricity users with the average monthly electricity consumption of 1,000,000 kWh or more shall implement measures to secure the contract performance before the electricity purchase and sale contract takes effect.

2.The value to secure contract performance may be agreed between the buyer and seller but must not exceed the price of 15 days of electricity consumption determined based on the average monthly electricity consumption registered in the electricity purchase and sale contract and the applied price of normal-hour electric power.

1. Measures, forms, effect of security, rights and obligations related to security must Ьe specifically agreed among the parties  in the electricity purchase and sale contracts; the implementation of via-bankguarantee measures is encouraged.
2. The sellers may suspend the electricity supply to the buyers in case the buyers neither carry out nor maintain measures to secure contract performance.

5.Regulations on security for the performance of electricity purchase and sale contracts are not applicable to electricity purchase and sale contracts that took effect before the effective date of this Decree, excluding electricity purchase and sale contracts inwhich two parties have agreed on security for contract performance.

Article 13. Acts of violating electricity purchase and sale contracts

1. The electricity sellers’ violation actsinclude:

a/ Delaying the electricity supply under the signed electricity purchase and sale contract, unless the customer’s works have not been qualified for operation;

b/ Failing to ensure electric power quality and quantity, stability in the electricity supply under the signed contracts, except forcemajeure circumstances;

c/ Recording wrong electricity meter readings; miscalculating electricity charges in electricity bills;

d/ Delaying or failing to compensate the buyers for losses caused by their  fault;

dd/ Other acts in violation of electricity purchase and sale regulations.

2. The electricity buyers’ violation acts include:

a/ Delaying the implementation of the signed contracts;

b/ Using electricity not for the purpose stated in the contract;

c/Usingelectricityinexcessoftheregisteredoutput in the subload chartwritten in the electricity purchase and sale contracts during peakhours;

d/ Failing to liquidate the contracts when they do not use electricity;

dd/Payingelectricitychargeslateaccording to regulations without plausible  reasons;

e/ Delaying or failing to compensate the electricity sellers for losses caused by their fault;

g/ Other acts in violation of electricity purchase and sale regulations.

Article 14. Electricity supply cessation and reduction

1.Theelectricitysellersmayceaseorreduceelectricity supply in the following  cases:

a/ Ceasing or reducing electricity supply according to Article 27 of the Electricity Law;

b/ The electricity buyers commit acts of violating Clauses 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, Article 7 of the Electricity Law;

c/At the request of competent state agencies in case organizations or individuals violate the provisions ofthe Electricity Law, the Construction Law and law on environmental protection.

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall specify conditions for and the order of ceasingor reducing electricity supply; expenses for cessation andresumption of electricity supply.

Article 15. Quality of electric  power

1. Voltage and frequency for electricity use must ensure the following  standards:

a/ Voltages: In normal condition, the permitted voltage deviation is around ± 5% compared with the power grids’ nominal voltageand determined at the place whereelectricity-metering or - counting equipment   is installed or other places agreed upon by the two parties. The permitted voltage deviation is from +5% to - 10% for power grids that have not been stable after incidents.

b/ Frequency: In normal condition, the permitted frequency deviation of the electric system is ± 0.2 Hz compared with the nominal frequency of 50 Hz. The permitted frequency deviation is ± 0.5 Hz for power grids that have not been stable after incidents.

2.The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall promulgate regulations on electricpower quality standard for the electric  system.

3.The buyers of electricity for production, businessand services having their own transformer stations or having no transformer stations but the maximum capacity of 40 kW or more shall:

a/ Register the subload charts and the technical and technological properties of electrical equipment with the electricity sellers;

Ь/ Ensure coefficient cos< � 0.9 at the place where electricity-metering or -counting equipmentis installed when the electric system ensures electric power quality according to Clause 1 of this Article;

c/ Install reactive power compensation equipment for coefficient cos< < 0.9 to raise coefficient cos< � 0.9 or Ьuy more reactive power output from the electric system of the electricity sellers.

Within one year from the date this Decree takes effect, the electricity buyers are not required to buy reactive power output when implementing output coefficient cos< of 0.85 or higher;

d/ Ensure technical standards on harmonic waves,voltagefluctuationsandvoltageflickers under regulations.

4.In case the electricity buyers are capable of generating reactive power output to the electric system and the electricity sellers want

to buy reactive power output, the two parties may agree on the purchase and sale of reactive power output through  contracts.

5. In special cases, the electricity buyers and sellers may agree on the quality of electric power different from standards prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

6.The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall guide the purchase and sale of reactive power output prescribed in this Article.

Article 16. Electricity measurement and counting

1. When changing electricity-metering and -counting devices, electricity buyers and sellers shall sign a minutes certifying technical parameters of the electricity-metering and- counting devices and meter  readings.
2. 2.In case electricity-meteringand-counting devices are lost or damaged, the two parties shall sign a minutes to identify the reasonsand responsibilities of related parties. In case of failing to identify the reason that it is the fault of the electricity buyers, the electricity sellers shall repair or replace new electricity-metering and-counting devices and continue supplying electricity to the electricity  buyers.
3. The new electricity user shall notify the electricity seller to inspect the electricity- metering and-counting system when receiving the place of electricity use with electricity- metering and-counting devices. Pending notification to the electricity sellers, theelectricity users shall take responsibility  for the received electricity-metering and-counting devices. The electricity sellers shall continue supplying  electricity, inspect  theelectricity-metering and-counting system and sign electricity purchase and sale contracts when the new electricity users satisfy all conditions.
4. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall regulate electricity measurement and counting in the electric system; and the collection, transmission and management of automatic measurement data in the electric system.

1.Electricity bills must be made according to the cycle of recording electricity meter readings.The form of notice of electricity charge payment may be agreed upon by the two parties in the electricity purchase and sale contracts.

2.Incaseelectricity-meteringand-counting devicesareimprecisecomparedwithstipulatedstandards, payable electricity charges accordingto Article 23 of the ElectricityLaw and Clause 9, Article 1 of the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Electricity Law are determined as  follows:

a/ If the time during which electricity-metering and -counting devices operate improperly can be determined, the electricity sellersshallrefundtheoverpaidchargeamount already collectedor collect the deficient electricity charge amount from the electricity buyers;

b/ If the time during which electricity- metering and -counting devices operate fast cannot be determined, the electricity sellers shall refund the collected overpaid charge amount calculatedbased on one cycle of recording meter readings, excluding the current cycle of electricity use which has not reached the date of recording meter readings.

3. In case the electricity buyers still use electricity during the time the electricity meters stop working due to a damage to the system  of electricity-metering and -counting devices, payable electricity charge must be determined by multiplying the  daily  average electricity of three preceding cycles of recording meter readings and the number of days of actual use of electricity. The  number  of days  of actual use of electricityis counted from the time  the electricity meters stop working saved in the electricity meters’ memory or the last day of recording meter readings in case the electricity meters fail to record the time of ceasing operation, to the day the electricity- metering and -counting devices system resumes operation.

4. In case the electricity buyers still use electricityduring the time the electricitymeters are lost, payable electricity charges must be determined by multiplying the daily average electricity of three preceding cycles  of recording meter readings and the number   ofdaysofactualuseofelectricity.Thenumber of days of actual use of electricity iscalculated from the last day of recording meter readings to the day electricity meters are installed and operate.

5. Payment of electricity charges via the banking system and at the electricity sellers’ charge collection places is  encouraged.

6.Organizations and individuals competent to organize the conciliation of electricity charge payment disputes according to Clause 5,Article 23 of the Electricity Law are provincial-level Departments of Industry and Trade or other organizations, individuals as agreed upon by the two parties.

Article 21. Right to enter the electricity buyers’ management areas

Persons assigned by the electricity units to the electricity buyers’ management areas to perform duties according to Point c, Clause 1, Article 41, Point d, Clause 1, Article 43 and Point dd, Clause 1, Article 44 of the Electricity Law shall present to the electricity buyers one of the following papers:

1. The electricity inspector card for electricity inspection activities.
2. The staff card granted by the electricity seller to its workers recording electricitymeter readings, maintaining, repairing and replacing electricity devices of electricity distribution units.

Article 22. Electricity purchase and sale with foreign countries

1. Agencies competent to permit the electricity purchase and sale with foreign countries prescribed in Clause 1, Article 28 of the Electricity Lawinclude:

a/ The Prime Minister, who shall approve  in principle the electricity purchase and sale with foreign countries through the national power grid at a voltage of 220kV or higher.The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall consider the electricity units’ proposals to purchase and sell electricity with foreign countries, then submit them to the Prime  Minister;

b/ The Ministryof Industry and Trade, which shall approve in principle the electricity purchaseand sale with foreign countriesthrough the national power grid at a voltage   of below 220 kV at the request of electricity units.

2. Electricity users in border areas mentioned in Clause 3, Article 28 of the Electricity Law may only directly purchase electricity from foreign countries at the voltage of 0.4 kV and must fully satisfy the following  conditions:

a/ Being Vietnamese citizens;

b/ Having the electric use capacity of below 10 kW and being unable to connect to the national power grid or the local electricity network;

c/ The whole electricity network from the borderline to the place where electricity is use disinvested and managed by the electricity buyers;

d/ Ensuring electricity safety standards and technical regulations;

dd/ Obtaining the approval of the district- level People’s Committees.

3. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall guide,manage,supervise,and inspect the purchase of electricity from foreign countries prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 23. Responsibilities to report on electricity production and business costs and make financial statements

1. 1.Electricity units shall report on electricity production and business costs and send annual audited financial statements to the Electricity Regulatory Authority.
2. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall specify electricity units having the responsibility to report; guide the report contents and the order of making reports on electricity production and business costs, and examine and certify electricity production and business cost of electricity units prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 24. Approval of electricity prices and charges

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall specify methods, the order of  setting and appraisal of electricity generation price brackets, electricity wholesale price brackets, electricity transmission prices, electric system support service prices, electric system operation regulation charges and electricitymarket transaction administration charges afterconsulting the Ministry of Finance.

2.The Minister of Industry and Trade shall approve:

a/ Charges for electric system operation regulation and electricity market transaction administration charges after consulting the Ministry of Finance;

b/ Electricity generation price brackets, electricity wholesale price brackets, electricity transmission prices, electric system support service prices, electric system operation regulation charges except the case prescribed in Clause 22, Article 1 of the Law Amending andSupplementingaNumberofArticlesofthe ElectricityLaw.

Article 25. Dual-component electricity price

To apply dual-component electricity prices comprising capacity price and electric power price. The Ministry of Industry and Tradeshall formulate a roadmap and subjects of application to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

Article26.Electricity generation prices and electricity wholesale prices

1. Electricity generation and wholesale prices according to electricity purchase and sale contracts with a definite term are agreed upon by electricity buyers and sellers according to the method guided by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, but must not exceed the price brackets already approved by competent state agencies.
2. In the course of negotiation, when electricity generation and wholesale prices have not yet been agreed for the conclusion   of electricity purchase and sale contracts with a definite term, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall decide on temporary prices for application until electricity buyers and sellers reach agreement on official prices.
3. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall guide the implementation of Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

Article 27. Examination of electricity purchase and sale contracts with a definite term.

1.The Electricity Regulatory Authority shall examine the following types of  contracts:

a/ Electricity purchase and sale contracts with a definite term between electricity generation units and electricity purchasers; support service contracts between electricity generation units and electric system and market operation units;

b/ Electricity wholesale contracts with  a definite term onthe electricity wholesale market; the Electricity Corporation’s electricity purchase contracts with a definite term.

2.The contents of examination comply with Article 22 of the Electricity Law.

3. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall promulgate the model contracts, the orders of examinationoftypesofcontractsprescribedin Clause 1 of this Article, and handle contracts made in violation of regulations.

Article28.General conditions for the grant,modification, supplementation of electricity activity licenses.

Organizations and individuals may be granted electricity activity licenses and have these licenses modified or supplemented when fully satisfying the following conditions:

1. Being organizations or individuals established and operating in accordance with law,including:

a/ Enterprises of all economic sectors established and operating under the Law on Enterprises;

b/ Cooperatives established and operating under the Law onCooperatives;

c/ Business households and individuals having business registration certificates as prescribed by law;

d/ Other organizations lawfully established and operating.

2.Their Ьusiness lines relevant to the fields requested for licenses.

2. Having valid dossiers of application for the grant, modification or supplementation of electricity activity licenses.

3. Having paid fees and appraisal charges for thegrant of electricity activity licenses according to regulations.

Article 29. Conditions for the grant of electricity generation licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for electricity generation must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Having feasible power plant construction investment projects conformable with the approved electricity development master plans. Having technical equipment, vehicles, workshops and architectural works compliant with the approved technical designs, which have been built, installed and pre-acceptance tested according toregulations.
2. Persons directly engaged in technical management and operation possess university or higher degrees in electrical engineering or relevant technical discipline and have at least five years' working experience in electricity generation. Persons directly involved in operationhave been trained inrelevant disciplines and in safety, and trained in power plant andelectricity market operation and granted certificates in the field according to regulations.
3. Having an information technology infrastructure system, and a control, supervision and data collection system meeting the requirements of the electric system and electricity market according to  regulations.
4. Devices subject to strict labor safety requirements must be inspected and meet technical requirements.
5. Having a report on assessment of environmental impacts and an  environmental protection commitment paper of the electricity generation project which have been approved or accepted by competent state agencies in conformity with the law on environmental protection.
6. Having a fire prevention and fighting system for the power plant which has been pre-acceptance tested by competent state agencies in accordance with law.

7.Having a reservoir operation process for the hydropower plant which has been approved by competent state agencies.

1. Legal documents on the safety of hydropower dams for hydropower plants as prescribed bylaw.

Article 30. Conditions for the grant of electricity transmission licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for electricity transmission must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Having technical equipment, vehicles, workshops and architectural works compliant with the approved technical designs, which have been built, installed and pre-acceptance tested according to regulations and meet the requirements of operation, maintenance, repair and examination of electricity transmission lines, transformer stations, switching stations, reactive power compensation stations, andthe accompanying synchronous devices inthe electricity transmission system;a fire prevention and fighting system meeting requirements according to  regulations.
2. Persons directly involved in technical management  possess  university  or higher degrees in electrical engineering and at least five years' working experience in electricity transmission. Persons directly involved in operation have been trained and examined in the operation process and electricity safety regulations in accordance with  law.

Article 31. Conditions for the grant of electricity distribution licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for electricity distribution must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Having technical equipment, vehicles, workshops and architectural works compliant with the approved technical designs, which have been built, installed and pre-acceptance tested accordingto regulations and meet the requirements of operation, maintenance and repair of electricity distribution grids, transformer stations, and the accompanying synchronous devices; a fire prevention andfighting system meeting requirements according toregulations.
2. Persons directly involved in technical management possess university or higher degrees in electrical engineering and at least five years' working experience in electricity distribution. Persons directly involved in operation have been trainedin electrical engineering orpossess an electrical engineering training certificate granted Ьy a vocational training institution, have been examined in the operation process and electricity safety regulations in accordance with law, except the case prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article.
3. Organizations and individuals conducting electricity distribution in rural areas must satisfy the following conditions: Persons directlyengagedin technical management and operationhave been trained in electrical engineering and have at least three years’ working experience with power grids. Persons  directly  involved in electricity operation and repair have been trained in electrical engineering  or possess an electrical engineering training certificate granted by a vocational training institution, have been trained and testedin electricity safety and granted electricity safety cards in accordance with law.

Article 32. Conditions for the grant of electricity wholesale licenses

In addition to general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations and individuals registering for electricity wholesale activities must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Persons directly involved in electricity wholesale business  management  possess a universityor higher degree in electrical engineering, economics, finance or similar disciplines and have at least five years' working experience in electricity trading.
2. Technical managers possess a university or higher degree in electrical engineering and have at least three years’ working experience with power grids at corresponding voltage  levels.
3. Persons directly involved in operation have been trained in electrical engineering  or have an electrical engineering training certificate granted Ьy a vocational training institution and have been trained in  electricity safety according to regulations.
4. Having an information technology infrastructure system meeting the requirements of the electricity market.

Article 33. Conditions for the grant of electricity retail licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations and individuals registering for electricity retail activities must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Persons directly involved in electricity retail management possess an intermediate or higher degree in electrical engineering, economics, finance or similar disciplines and have at least five years' working experience in electricity trading.
2. Persons directly involved in operation have been trained in electrical engineering  or have an electrical engineering training certificate granted Ьy a vocational training institution and have been trained in electricity safety according to regulations.
3. Having an information technology infrastructure system meeting the requirements of the electricity market.

Article 34. Conditions for the grant of electricity import or exportlicenses

Organizations registering for the electricity purchase and sale with foreign countries must satisfy the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree and the following conditions:

1. The electricity purchase and sale with foreign  countries  have been  approved in principle according to Article 22 of this Decree.
2. The plan on electricity purchase and sale with foreign countries has been appraised by the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam.
3. Persons directly involved in electricity business management possess a university  or higher degree in electrical engineering, economics and finance or simlar disciplines and have at least five years' working experience in electricity purchase andsale.
4. Persons directly involved in technical management possess a university or higher degree in electrical engineering or relevant disciplines and have at least five years' working experience in electricity distribution and business.

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for provincial- level electricity development master plan consultancy activities must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Being specialized consultancy organizations with professional capacity of planning development of power grids, study and forecast of load, calculation and optimal analysis oftransmission and distributionnetworks, and economic and financial analysis ofprojects.
2. Having a team of key and otherconsultants having experiences in forecasting load, power grid structure andoperation regime and economic  and  financial analysis ofprojects.
3. Key consultants possess a university or higher degree in electrical engineering, energy economics, economics or finance or similar disciplines, have at least five years' working experience in master plan consultancy and have been involved in formulating at least one provincial-level electricity development masterplan.
4. In addition to the conditions prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, key consultants actingasmajorconsultantshavebeeninvolved in formulating at least three provincial-level electricity development master  plans.
5. The numЬers of key consultants in specific professional fields are as follows:

a/ Three or more experts, including at least one major consultant, in electric load demand forecasting;

b/ Five or more experts, including at least one major consultant, in calculation and optimal analysis of electric system and technology;

c/ Two or more experts, including at least one major consultant, in economics-finance and investment.

       6. Having necessary technical facilities and means and application software meeting the requirements of formulating provincial-level electricity development master  plans.

Article 37. Conditions for the  grant  of hydropower master plan consultancy licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for hydropower master plan consultancy activities must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Being specialized consultancy organizations with professional capacity in hydropower works, hydrology, hydropower, engineering geology,hydropower construction and other fields related to the formulation of hydropower masterplans.
2. Having a team of key and other consultants having experience in hydrology, hydropowerworks, engineering geology, hydropower  and  hydropowerconstruction.
3. Key consultants possess a university  or higher degree in electrical engineering, hydropower  or  similar  disciplines, have at least five years' working experience in master plan consultancy and have been involved in formulating at least one hydropower master plan.
4. The  numbers  of  key  consultants in professional fields are as follows:

a/ Two or more experts, in hydropower and hydrology;

b/ Two or more experts, in energy economics;

c/ Three or more experts,in hydraulic power and hydropower works;

d/ Two or more experts, in geology and geo-technics;

dd/ One or more experts, in  structure;

e/ One or more experts, in the organization of construction.

       5. Having necessary technical equipment and facilities and application software meeting the requirements of formulating hydropower masterplans.

Article38.Classification of grades of power works construction investment and supervision consultancy

1. Conditions for operating in the fields   ofconstruction investment and supervision consultancy of power works only apply to work items directly related to electrical engineering, while construction-related work items comply with the law on construction.

2. The classification table of grades of electricity source and grid works for use in power works construction investment and supervision consultancy:

Depending on professional qualifications and capacity, the organizations providing consultancy on power works construction investment may register one or many activities:formulation of investment projects, base designs, technical designs, and construction technical designs, and bidding for hydropower and thermal power plant works, power lines and  transformer stations.

3. Power plants using renewable energy according to theprinciple of using water, wind and solar energy are classified and apply conditions for the grant of power works construction investment and supervision consultancy licenses which are similar to those applicable  to hydropower plants.

4. Power plants using renewable energy according to the principle of transformation from thermal energy are classified and apply conditions for the grant of power work construction investment and supervision consultancy licenses applicable tothermal power plants.

Article 39. Conditions for the grant of hydropower plant construction investment consultancy licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for consultancy activities for hydropower plant construction investment must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Being specialized consultancy organizations with professional capacity in technology, hydropower plants, technical, economic and financial analysis of projects, assessment of environmental  impacts.
2. Having a team of key and other consultants having experiences in hydropower work equipment, electrical equipment, water treatment, automatic control, hydropower works, hydrology, hydropower, meteo-hydrology, engineering geology, geo-technics, structure, organization of construction of hydropower plants and other fields related to types of hydropower plants.
3. Key consultants possess a university  or higher degree in electrical engineering, hydropower, irrigation, geology, environment, economics, finance or similar disciplines, have at least five years' working experience in consultancy, have been involved in designing at least one hydropower plant project of equivalent capacity, and possess a relevant construction practicecertificate.
4. In addition to the conditions prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, key consultants acting as major consultants have worked as heads of projects or taken charge of designing hydropower plant projects of equivalent capacity or have been involved in designing   at least three hydropower plant projects of equivalent capacity.
5. Having necessary technicalfacilities and means and application software for hydropower plant investment and construction consultancy.
6. The numbers of key consultants in grades of hydropower works are as  follows:

a/ For grade1:Twenty-five or more experts, including at least one major  consultant;

b/ For grade 2: Twenty or more experts, including at least one major  consultant;

c/ For grade 3: Fifteen or more experts, including at least one major  consultant;

d/ For grade 4: Ten or more experts, including at least one major  consultant.

Article 40. Conditions for the grant of thermal power plant construction investment consultancy licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for thermal power plant construction investment consultancy must satisfy the followingconditions:

1. Being specialized consultancy organizations with professional capacity in thermal power plant technologyand works, technical, economic and financial analysis of projects and assessment of environmental impacts.
2. Having a team of key and other consultants having experiences in boilers, turbines, generators, electrical equipment, automatic control,  engineering geology,  geo-technics, structure, organization of construction of thermal power plants and other fields related  to types of thermal powerplants.
3. Key consultants possess a university or higher degree in electrical engineering,thermal power, geology, economics, environment,finance or similar disciplines, have at leastfive years’workingexperienceinconsultancy,have be eninvolved in design ingatleastone thermal power plant project with equivalent capacity, and possess a relevant construction practice certificate.
4. In addition to the conditions prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, key consultants acting as major consultants must have worked as heads of projects or taken charge of designing thermal power plant projects with equivalent capacity or have involved in designing at least three thermal power plant projects with equivalent capacity.
5. Having necessary technical facilities and means and application software for thermal power plant work investment and construction consultancy.
6. The numbers of key consultants in grades of thermal power works are as  follows:

b/ For grade 2: Fifteen or more experts, including at least one major consultant.

Article 44. Conditions for the grant of power line and transformer station construction supervision consultancy licenses

In addition to the general conditions prescribed in Article 28 of this Decree, organizations registering for power line and transformer station construction supervision consultancy must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Being specialized consultancy organizations with professional capacity in power line and transformer station technology and works.

2. Having a team of key and other consultants having experience in power lines, electrical equipment, automatic control, relay protection and organization of construction.

3. Key consultants possess a university or higher degree in electrical engineering, automation, economics, finance or similar disciplines, have at least five years' working experience in consultancy, have been involved in supervising the construction of at least one power line and transformer station at equivalent voltage level, and possess power line and transformer station construction supervision certificate.

4. In addition to the conditions prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, key consultants acting as major consultants have taken charge of supervising the construction of power lines and transformer stations at equivalent voltage levels or have been involved in supervising the construction of at least three power lines and transformer stations at equivalent voltage levels.

5. Having necessary technical facilities and means and application software for supervising the construction of power lines and transformer stations.

6. The numbers of key consultants according to grades of power lines and transformer stations:

a/ For grade 1: Twenty or more experts, including at least one major consultant;

b/ For grade 2: Fifteen or more experts, including at least one major  consultant;

c/ For grade 3: Ten or more experts, including at least one major consultant;

d/ For grade 4: Five or more experts, including at least one major consultant.

Article45.Modification and supplementation of electricity activity licenses 

Electricity activity licenses may Ьe modified and supplemented in the following  cases:

a/ At the request of licensed organizations or individuals when there is a change in one  of the contentsof their electricity activity licenses.

b/ In necessary cases,  for  the  purpose of protecting socio-economic interests and public welfare, licensing agencies may modify and  supplement  electricity  activity licenses related to power transmission and distribution. The modification and supplementation must conform with licensed units’  capacity.

Article 46. Revocation of electricity activity licenses

1. Organizations and individuals will have their electricity activity licenses revoked inthe cases prescribed in Article 37 of the Electricity Law.
2. Upon revocation of electricity activity licenses, competent agencies shall determine the time limit for electricity units to resume operation so as not to affect electricity supply.
3. Within 90 days from the date their licenses are revoked, electricity units have the right to complain with competent state agencies about the revocation.

Article 47. Fees and appraisal charges for the grant of electricity activity  licenses

1. Organizations and individuals that are granted electricity activity licenses  shall:

a/ Pay a fee for the grant of electricity activity licenses;

b/ Pay an appraisal charge for the grant of electricity activity licenses.

2. The Ministry of Finance shall detail the rates, collection, payment, management anduse of fees and appraisal charges for the grant of electricity activity licenses prescribed in Clause1 of this Article.

Article 48. Regulation of electricity activities