It's the rainy season, but electricity consumption still sets a record

Record of more than 1 billion kWh/day, huge supply pressure

After Ho Chi Minh City, it was Hanoi's turn to see a rapid increase in electricity consumption, from 75.3 million kWh on May 27, it jumped nearly 25% to 98.7 million kWh on May 28. On May 29, Hanoi's electricity consumption officially reached a new peak of 102.8 million kWh, with peak capacity set on the same day reaching 4,891 MW. This is also the first time in history that the country's electricity consumption in a day exceeded 1 billion kWh.

According to the National Power System Control Center, the heat wave continues to occur in all three regions, causing electricity consumption nationwide to remain at a historic high. Notably, in April, while Ho Chi Minh City continuously broke records in electricity consumption, the entire country still did not exceed the current 1 billion kWh of electricity.

Electricity consumption in May has peaked at over 1 billion kWh/day

Hanoi Electricity Corporation (EVNHANOI) explained: With over 55% of the electricity load for consumption management, the demand for electricity suddenly increases during hot weather, potentially putting great pressure on the operation of the distribution grid. The hot and humid weather and prolonged heat are significantly affecting the operation and reducing the efficiency of electrical equipment in the city. Worryingly, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the hot weather situation will continue to have many complicated developments in the coming time, with the number of hot days increasing compared to the annual average. Therefore, Hanoi Electricity continues to call on people to promote electricity saving, especially during peak hours from 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 24:00 every day.

With this month's electricity bill just a few days away, many people in the North, especially in the capital Hanoi, are worried about how much this expense will increase. Mr. Doan Van Chien (living in Giang Vo, Hanoi) guessed that with the amount of time his family has been using cooling equipment for more than a week, his family's electricity bill for May will certainly increase. Taking a photo of the number of kWh of electricity his family used in May, up to the 30th, which was 64 kWh more than in April, Mr. Chien confidently concluded: "It will definitely increase!".

In Ho Chi Minh City, there have been many long rains and many days of continuous rain, the weather has cooled down significantly in the second half of May. However, the amount of electricity consumed has not shown any signs of decreasing. Data from Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation (EVNHCMC) shows that the total electricity consumption in Ho Chi Minh City from May 1 to 4 p.m. on May 31 was about 2.857 billion kWh; while in 30 days of April, this figure was more than 2.803 billion kWh. "If the electricity bill in May is not equal, it will be better, not less," Ms. NH, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed.

Electrical engineers and workers from the South were sent to the North to increase the construction of the 500 kV line circuit 3.

500 kV line 3 will "quench the thirst for electricity" for the North

Faced with the situation of soaring electricity consumption, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) said that load adjustment is one of the important solutions, contributing to reducing the maximum capacity during peak hours of the system. In addition to encouraging customers to use electricity economically and efficiently, EVN also increased the import of electricity from Laos and accelerated the investment progress of transmission line projects. Especially in the current period, EVN and its units are focusing their highest efforts by all solutions to complete the implementation of the construction of the 500 kV line 3, Quang Trach - Pho Noi, according to the schedule required by the Prime Minister.

Energy expert Dao Nhat Dinh commented: If completed on schedule in June, the period when the North needs electricity supply the most, the project will certainly be the main resource to "quench the thirst for electricity" for Hanoi in particular and the North in general. Therefore, completing the 500 kV line 3 on schedule, in time to bring electricity to the North during this hot and dry season, is more urgent than ever.

For this reason, all work in the electricity industry is focused on this project. As of May 30, the Northern, Central, Southern power corporations, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have registered to mobilize 119 teams (each team has about 12-15 people) with more than 1,500 "combat-ready" electrical engineers and workers in the industry to "support" the construction of the 500 kV line 3 line project.

According to the plan, there are only 30 days left to complete the project, so increasing human resources and construction support will help speed up the progress of the pole erection and wire pulling construction package. The Southern Power Corporation said that the shock teams mobilized to the North to participate in the 500 kV transmission line project this time are highly skilled engineers and workers, with good expertise, often working in difficult and dangerous areas, so their ability to withstand and overcome difficulties at the construction site is very large. Because most contractors have expressed difficulties in mobilizing human resources to erect poles. The remaining time is exactly 1 month, while the workload is very large. In unusual weather conditions, the Central and Southern regions are hot, sudden rains... will also significantly affect the efficiency and progress of pole erection and wire pulling.

EVN Chairman Dang Hoang An affirmed: "This is a very important project not only for the National Power Transmission Corporation but also for the entire group to ensure the country's energy security. The remaining construction time of the project is very short, the weather in the area is changing seasons so the rain and sunshine are erratic, we request the teams of the power corporations to concentrate highly, pay attention to safety in construction to complete the erection of poles, wire pulling by June 20 and complete the project before June 30 in accordance with the direction of the Prime Minister".

Regarding power supply assurance, the Electricity Regulatory Authority informed: The amount of water flowing into hydroelectric reservoirs in all three regions last week has changed positively, especially in the Northern region. More water flowing into the reservoirs has helped the management agency adjust to increase hydroelectric output, while flexibly adjusting the mobilization of the Song Da hydroelectric cascade to gradually lower the water level before the flood; separating coal-fired thermal power plants for short-term repairs to ensure the highest system availability.

Recently, many voters in Long An and Ben Tre complained about the step-by-step electricity price, which has caused electricity bills to increase, especially in the context of increased electricity demand during the hot season.

Mr. Vo Quang Lam, Deputy General Director of EVN, said that according to actual data in 2023, nationwide, the number of households with electricity consumption below 50 kWh/month is 3.2 million households, accounting for 11.51% of the total number of households using electricity for daily life with an average consumption of 24 kWh/household/month; the number of households with electricity consumption below 100 kWh/month is 7.6 million households, accounting for 27% of the total number of households using electricity for daily life with an average consumption of 54 kWh/household/month. In the draft amendment to Decision No. 28/2014 of the Prime Minister regulating the structure of retail electricity prices, based on EVN's proposal, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has submitted to the Prime Minister to adjust the retail electricity price for daily life from 6 levels to 5 levels, in which the retail electricity price level 1 will be the price for the first 100 kWh. Currently, this draft decision is being appraised by ministries to be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and promulgation in the coming time.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/da-sang-mua-mua-tieu-thu-dien-van-lap-ky-luc-185240531195628941.htm