Domestic demand will swallow up the remaining 21.5 million tonnes. The power industry will need 8.4 million tonnes-more than any other sector. Cement makers will use 5.6 million tonnes.

Fertiliser and paper production will need 400,000 and 200,000 tonnes respectively, according to the ministry’s estimates.

There will be a clamp down on coal smuggling and coal production will be speeded up. Both measures have been recommended by the ministry to meet the ambitious targets.

Last year’s coal output reached 40 million tonnes. Since early this year, almost half has been exported, according to the General Statistics Office.

The country plans to gradually cut coal exports to meet rising domestic demand.

Power plant consumption alone is expected to more than double to 15.3 million tonnes by 2010 from around 6.5 million last year as more plants spring up around the country.

Vietnam is expected to build 13 large-scale, coal-fired power plants in the next seven years to meet soaring electricity demand.

To have enough fuel for the plants, power plants in the country’s central and southern regions will have to use imported coal, mostly from Indonesia and Australia.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has warned that the country could face coal shortages in the future. Domestic coal production in 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2025 has been forecast at 47, 60, 70 and 80 million tonnes respectively. Local demand in the coming years could grow to 37, 94, 184 and 308 million tonnes, the ministry estimated.

The country will therefore have to import large quantities of coal from 2010 to 2025, the ministry said.