Dry season electricity: Building scenarios at the highest level, growth up to 2% in number

EVN staff check electrical equipment. (Photo: evn)

EVN is implementing 10 power source projects.

According to the report of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), in March, the total electricity production and import output of the entire system reached 27.1 billion kWh. Accumulated in the first quarter of 2025, the total output of the entire system reached 72.2 billion kWh (while in the first quarter of 2024 it was 69.4 billion kWh).

The South is the economic locomotive, using 34% of the country's electricity. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, in the first 4 months of this year, the electricity output supplied to the city reached 9,600 million kWh. Although 1.43% lower than the same period last year, the maximum capacity recorded a slight increase of 0.39%, reaching 9,419 MW.

At the workshop on promoting electricity supply measures organized by Tien Phong Newspaper on April 21, Mr. Bui Trung Kien, Deputy General Director of Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation (EVNHCMC) informed that in March 2025, during the period of intense heat, the average daily electricity consumption increased by 16.32% compared to February, reaching nearly 87 million kWh/day. Household electricity alone in April reached 42.64 million kWh, an increase of more than 20% compared to March.

In early April and early May, the temperature in Ho Chi Minh City fluctuated from 35-37 degrees Celsius, causing electricity consumption to continuously increase, with an average of up to 88.25 million kWh/day.

It is expected that this year, the commercial electricity output in the City will reach about 32,150 million kWh, an increase of more than 12.4% compared to 2024. The maximum capacity of the system in the area may reach more than 5,000 MW, an increase of about 2.7% compared to 2024. In the context of prolonged hot weather, the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and major events of the year, the pressure to ensure safe and continuous electricity supply is posing a significant challenge for the electricity industry.

Faced with this situation, a representative of Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation said that the unit has proactively deployed a series of technical measures such as checking the entire power grid, maintaining transformer stations and key power lines to ensure that local overloads do not occur. At the same time, solutions for transferring, adjusting loads and saving electricity are also being promoted.

“EVNHCMC has coordinated with departments and local authorities to promote the use of electricity economically, safely and effectively. In particular, the installation of rooftop solar power in industrial parks, high-tech parks, agencies and enterprises is considered one of the important solutions to help reduce the load on the power system during peak hours,” said Mr. Bui Trung Kien.

EVN staff check the operation of electrical equipment. (Photo: Evn)

Regarding ensuring electricity, Mr. Vo Quang Lam, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) said that in recent days, the whole country, especially the Northern and Southern regions, has been experiencing a heat wave with temperatures in many localities reaching 38 degrees Celsius. This has led to a sharp increase in electricity demand, especially for household electricity and electricity for cooling. This is a significant pressure on the national electricity system, from generation, transmission to distribution.

Forecasting that the load trend will continue to increase in the upcoming dry and hot seasons, EVN has proactively developed power supply scenarios suitable for all situations, even when electricity demand grows by 12-13% to ensure national energy security.

In particular, EVN is implementing 10 power source projects, with a total capacity of about 8,800 MW, including the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power project. In addition, this year, EVN focuses on completing key projects such as the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Expansion, Quang Trach I Hydropower Plant, Lao Cai-Vinh Yen 500kV Line, Nho Quan-Phu Ly-Thuong Tin 500/220kV Line; supplying electricity to Con Dao district.

“In 2025, the unit targets commercial electricity output of 300.9 billion kWh, with a reserve plan of up to 305.6 billion kWh to meet the high growth scenario. The maximum load capacity of the entire system is expected to reach 54,510 MW, an increase of 11.35% compared to 2024,” said an EVN representative.

Promote saving solutions

The hot season is always a challenge for businesses in using electricity, so load adjustment and load shifting solutions are beneficial for both businesses and the electricity industry.

According to a report from the Dong Nai electricity industry, up to now, 1,147/1,171 enterprises (over 96%) that need load adjustment have signed a commitment to participate in the program. Meanwhile, in Binh Duong, the electricity industry has completed 1,786 load adjustment agreements, reaching 100% with major customers in the area.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of Business Department of EVN Group, said that by the end of 2024, the group will develop many programs and work with key customers and large electricity consumers to participate in this load shifting program.

“Load shifting has helped businesses use electricity at low electricity prices, reducing production costs. For example, iron and steel companies produce billets in February and March, this is the low-peak load level, and during peak load levels, businesses switch to other stages,” said Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dung.

EVN staff instruct customers on how to use electricity economically and efficiently. (Photo: evn)

To ensure electricity supply, Mr. Le Dang Xuan Tan, Deputy Director of the Southern Power System Dispatch Center (SSO), said that the unit has proactively implemented many solutions to ensure electricity in the dry season, especially during peak months, in which the current power system dispatch strategy is to operate optimally and flexibly.

Specifically, hydropower sources still play an important role, but must ensure that water is used economically, not allowing water levels to fall below the allowable level. At the same time, reasonable water regulation will ensure enough electricity for the present while still maintaining the ability to generate power in the following months.

“In the event of a peak power surge, the center will activate load adjustment measures, including shifting loads to less stressed areas, issuing early warnings and emergency notifications to power units and large customers, and mobilizing load reduction in areas with flexible load reduction capabilities,” the SSO representative shared.

On the side of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nguyen The Huu, Deputy Director of the Electricity Department, said that from the end of 2024, based on the proposal of the National Electricity System and Market Operation One Member Limited Liability Company (NSMO) and the opinions of Vietnam Electricity Group and related units, the Minister of Industry and Trade has issued decisions approving the electricity supply plan for 2025 and the peak months of the dry season, in which, the load forecast in 2025 can grow up to 12.2% for the whole year, the whole year's output is expected to reach 347,509 billion kWh, the maximum capacity nationwide reaches 54,510 MW.

In addition, to ensure electricity supply in 2025 as well as the 2026-2030 period, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has actively implemented many solutions, such as: issuing price frames for various types of electricity sources, creating favorable mechanisms for investment, developing electricity sources to meet domestic demand, and actively cooperating in electricity import and export, especially clean electricity sources with reasonable prices.

"The Ministry also strengthens supervision of planning, fuel preparation, maintenance and repair of electrical equipment to ensure the availability of power sources. It also does a good job of communicating about electricity saving and managing electricity load demand," said Mr. Nguyen The Huu./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/dien-mua-kho-xay-dung-cac-kich-ban-o-muc-cao-nhat-tang-truong-toi-2-co-so-246420.htm