Severe heat, very high consumption, what to do to avoid power outages?

According to information from Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), since the beginning of the year, unfavorable hydrological developments and the impact of the El Nino phenomenon have seriously affected the operations of hydropower plants.

Mức độ tiêu thụ trên toàn quốc rất cao, làm gì để tránh cắt điện?

The high level of consumption nationwide has caused many places to experience rotating power outages. (Source: Industry and Trade Newspaper)

By the end of May 2023, the remaining converted electricity output in the hydropower reservoirs of the entire system was 2.35 billion kWh, 1.736 billion kWh lower than the annual plan; in the North alone, it was 1.23 billion kWh lower. Eight out of 12 hydropower reservoirs in the North had water levels equal to or near the dead water level.

Some large hydroelectric reservoirs in the North have very low water levels and are at risk of dying if the hydrological situation does not improve, specifically: Son La, Lai Chau , Tuyen Quang, Hua Na, Thac Ba. Even the water in some hydroelectric reservoirs such as Lai Chau, Hua Na, Thac Ba, Son La, Tuyen Quang is not enough to mobilize electricity for one day.

In the context of severe water shortages in hydroelectric reservoirs, some coal-fired thermal power plants in the system have also experienced reduced capacity or breakdowns due to continuous high-speed operation in prolonged hot weather conditions.

Typically, as of June 1, 2023, coal-fired thermal power plants in the North are experiencing incidents, including: Pha Lai 1, S6 Pha Lai 2, S2 Cam Pha, S1 Vung Ang 1, S2 Nghi Son 2, S2 Mao Khe, S1 Quang Ninh , S2 Thang Long, S1 Son Dong.

Meanwhile, the prolonged hot weather across a wide area has increased the demand for electricity.

Although it was not yet a peak and prolonged heat wave, the electricity consumption of the entire national power system recorded on May 19 increased to a very high level, more than 924 million kWh/day - the highest since the beginning of the year and an increase of 10.5% over the same period in 2022; the maximum consumption capacity also reached 44,600 MW, the highest since the beginning of the year and an increase of 8.5% over the same period last year.

In June 2023, the North will continue to face heat waves lasting nearly 2 consecutive weeks. It is expected that the load in the North and the national power system will continue to increase in the coming days.

EVN hopes that customers, offices and production facilities will join hands to use electricity economically and effectively, turn off unnecessary electrical equipment and limit the use of high-capacity equipment during peak hours of the power system, from 11:30 to 14:30 and from 20:00 to 22:00 every day; do not use many electrical appliances at the same time to avoid overloading the power grid, and at the same time, be on guard against the risk of fire and explosion in the power grid, power stations and residential areas.

In addition, EVN also recommends that customers should choose and use electrical equipment with energy-saving labels according to regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade ; regularly clean and maintain equipment to ensure stable operation, increase longevity as well as save electricity and costs; unplug when not in use.

To ensure electricity supply during the hot months, EVN representative said that the electricity sector has strengthened solutions on electricity saving and voluntary non-commercial electricity load adjustment (DR) with industrial production enterprises; promoted electricity saving to schools, hospitals, clinics, health stations, nursing homes, public lighting units, restaurants, hotels, commercial service establishments, office complexes and apartment buildings; and continuously communicated to households using electricity for daily life so that they proactively reduce consumption and do not set air conditioner temperatures below 26 degrees Celsius.

In the context of energy supply facing many difficulties and people's electricity consumption increasing during hot days, using electricity economically and efficiently is considered the best solution to have enough electricity for use.

Saving electricity and thoroughly saving electricity is an inevitable issue if we want to ensure enough electricity for people to use.

Source