Electricity supply during Tet holiday at risk of incident, Minister gives special instructions

On January 25, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien visited and inspected the work of ensuring electricity supply during the 2025 Lunar New Year.

Cung ứng điện dịp Tết nguy cơ sự cố, Bộ trưởng có chỉ đạo đặc biệt - Ảnh 1. — Minister of Industry and Trade requests to ensure electricity supply during Tet - Photo: P.SON

In 220kV Tay Ho transformer station, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - General Director of EVNHANOI, said that currently 220kV Tay Ho transformer station has 2 transformers with capacity of 250MVA.

The control system can be operated on-site or remotely, but during Tet, the corporation mobilized its operations and repair force to be on duty 24/7.

EVNHANOI also arranged nearly 10,000 shifts to ensure safe power supply.

Electricity consumption demand during Tet holiday drops sharply

According to forecasts, electricity consumption during the Lunar New Year holiday is low because most industrial loads stop/reduce production. The average daily output is expected to reach 561 million kWh, equivalent to about 73% of the average daily level in January 2025, and about 60% compared to a normal working day.

The maximum capacity of the power system (Pmax) is 36,426 MW and the minimum capacity (Pmin) is 16,202 MW (equal to 60% of the load on a normal working day). Accordingly, units within EVN are ready to ensure safe and stable power supply to serve people nationwide during Tet.

Mr. Ngo Son Hai - Deputy General Director of EVN, said that a plan has been developed to ensure electricity for production and consumption, associated with safety and security.

EVN also coordinates with localities to develop plans to protect power projects, and not to stop or reduce power supply, causing power outages to customers, except in cases of incident handling.

Organize to strengthen leadership, operation and electrical repair 24/7 during Tet holidays. Prepare adequate supplies, equipment, communication systems and means of transport, ready to quickly handle any problems that arise...

EVN Chairman Dang Hoang An affirmed that power generation, transmission and distribution plants and factories outside EVN strictly comply with operating methods and dispatch orders.

Therefore, EVN will ensure maximum power supply, especially in crowded places, fireworks displays, and festival events will be strictly monitored, with people assigned to unmanned transformer stations.

Proactively respond to incident risks

Appreciating the preparation work and ensuring electricity supply, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said that although 2024 has the highest load ever, even on days when consumption reaches more than 1 billion kWh, electricity supply is still met.

According to EVN's report, during Tet, the load is low and the voltage is high, so the risk of system incidents is likely to occur. EVN and the National Electricity System and Market Operation Company Limited (NSMO) have detailed plans, divided shifts, and prepared materials and equipment, but the Minister noted that it is necessary to be ready to ensure the safety of the power system, especially at local power plants.

In particular, pay attention to localities where some recreational activities, fireworks, and sky lanterns can cause many risks of electrical incidents. Therefore, Mr. Dien requested coordination and direction for local units to pay attention to this issue, especially during Tet.

With the nature of electricity consumption during Tet with low load and high voltage, Mr. Dien also noted that EVN and NSMO prioritize mobilizing base power sources, mainly hydropower. In addition, it is necessary to prepare materials and alternative means, and make a clear plan. Where is the incident, how to mobilize materials and means, so that all situations can be handled as quickly as possible.

The Minister also requested units to carry out their tasks with the motto of absolute safety, absolutely not allowing major incidents to occur without timely handling. Incidents that may occur, and have occurred, must be handled promptly, ensuring that the reaction of the people during Tet is minimized.