The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) said that during the days of late April 2024, the sweltering hot weather in all three regions led to record-breaking increases in nationwide electricity consumption.
According to data from the National Power System Control Center, both the peak capacity (Pmax) and the daily electricity consumption on a national level rose to new record levels for the national power system.
Specifically, at 1:30 PM on April 27, 2024: the nationwide peak capacity reached 47670 MW. The nationwide daily consumption on April 26, 2024 reached 993 million kWh.
For the northern region specifically, since this is only the first severe heatwave, the electricity consumption in the north, while higher than before, has not yet reached the peak levels recorded in the past. As such, electricity consumption in the north is likely to continue to rise during the upcoming heatwaves of this summer.
According to EVN’s assessment, as the economy gradually recovers, and with the predicted high temperatures and early onset of hot weather in all three regions, the demand for electricity will grow faster than the year’s initial plan. Therefore, EVN has updated its calculations for the 2024 Power Supply and Power System Operation Plan and the Power Supply Plan for the peak dry season months (months 4, 5, 6, 7) of 2024, and these have been approved and adjusted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
To proactively ensure the supply of electricity to the national power system, especially in the northern region during the peak dry season months of 2024, EVN has established a method for optimizing power system and electricity market operations; built electricity supply scenarios, updated factors related to electricity production, load demand, and hydrological developments to proactively establish and adjust power system operation plans.
At the same time, it has mobilized electricity sources to the maximum extent possible, combined with increased maximum power transmission from the central region to the north, and regulated the water levels of hydroelectric reservoirs at high levels in preparation for supplying electricity throughout the 2024 dry season; instructed the General Power Corporations and power plants to continue coordinating closely with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group (TKV), the Northeast Coal Corporation, and investors in other electricity sources to ensure the supply of fuel for electricity production.
In the context of declining domestic gas sources, EVN has coordinated with PVGas to supply LNG to the Phu My 3 power plant (which has been transferred to EVN) and has been in operation since April 11, 2024.
To meet the electricity supply requirements of the northern region, the Power Corporations may mobilize additional diesel sources borrowed from customers to supplement the electricity supply to the national power system in emergency situations.
EVN has also instructed the National Power Transmission Corporation and the Power Corporations to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the power grid system; prepare sufficient spare parts and equipment; proactively detect, resolve, and prevent incidents; improve reliability and reduce electricity losses; and strengthen supervision and adherence to operating discipline.
It also requires the Power Corporations to proactively monitor developments, closely follow local socio-economic development, and be responsible for analyzing the structure and proportion of load components, forecasting electricity demand, and developing scenarios for dry season electricity supply and monthly/quarterly electricity supply plans.
In addition, it is negotiating to increase electricity imports from neighboring countries, including continuing negotiations with partners in Laos to increase electricity imports to Vietnam through the Nghe An and Quang Tri regions.
Regarding investment and construction solutions, EVN is determined to implement tasks and solutions to invest in and construct projects according to the Prime Minister’s directives to ensure the progress of key power sources and power grid projects, including completing the Ialy Hydropower Expansion Project by the end of 2024, the Hoa Binh Hydropower Expansion Project (in 2025), and the Quang Trach I Thermal Power Plant (in 2026). Starting construction of the Tri An Hydropower Expansion Project, the Bac Ai Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project, and others by the end of 2024.
Along with this, it is concentrating all resources to construct the 500 kV transmission line circuit 3 (from Quang Trach to Pho Noi) with the goal of timely completion, as well as various power grid projects that will integrate power sources and supply electricity to major load areas.
Making every effort to swiftly complete power grid projects to increase electricity imports from Laos (such as the Nam Sum – Nong Cong 220kV transmission line project and the Dak Ooc 220kV switching station, the Monsoon – Thanh My 500kV transmission line).
In order to help ensure electricity supply during the hot summer of 2024, EVN sincerely hopes to receive the cooperation and active coordination of the public and electricity consumers by thoroughly using electricity sparingly, especially during peak evening hours (from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM).
In particular, pay special attention to the reasonable use of air conditioners, only turning on the air conditioner when absolutely necessary, setting the temperature at 26-27oC or higher, and using fans in combination; and avoid using multiple high-power electrical appliances simultaneously during peak hours.
