In the Northern region alone, the average weekly electricity consumption increased by more than 31.7 million kWh/day compared to the previous week. During the week, several new records for maximum capacity (Pmax) and daily electricity consumption (A day) were set. Since the beginning of the year, the national load has increased by approximately 11.2% compared to the same period in 2023. Of this, the North increased by 11.3%, the Central region by 8.5%, and the South by 11.7%.
“Compared to the same period in 2023, on April 26, the daily output of the national power system increased by 23.1%. The electricity output of the Northern power system increased by 35.5%. On April 27, the maximum capacity of the national power system increased by 20.2%, while the maximum capacity of the Northern power system increased by 19.9%. Despite facing an increase in system load, the electricity supply over the past week has been well ensured,” said the Electricity Regulatory Authority.
All major hydropower reservoirs nationwide are facing very low water levels.
According to the Electricity Regulatory Authority, in order to ensure the electricity supply, in the Northern region , it is necessary to increase the mobilization of thermal power to save hydropower and at the same time take advantage of the transmission capacity during low-peak midday hours to save hydropower in the North. Transmission on the 500kV Nho Quan – Nghi Son section continued to maintain a level close to the allowable limit, with transmission output during the week of 25.7 – 47.7 million kWh. The maximum transmission capacity recorded at times reached 2,483 MW.
From April 26, when hot weather appeared extensively in the North, in order to ensure the electricity supply, the National Power System Control Center (A0) had to mobilize a series of power units with very high costs. Specifically, starting Unit 2 of O Mon on April 27 and mobilizing the Phu My 4 and Phu My 21 thermal power plants to run on LNG to supply electricity . At the same time, the Northern Power System Control Center (A1), the Northern Power Corporation (NPC) requested that hydropower plants provide support for peak loads.
Currently, all available coal-fired thermal power units on the system have been mobilized with an average daily output of approximately 556.9 million kWh. High-cost gas turbine plants have also been put into operation in recent days to ensure the electricity supply. However, due to operating at high frequencies, some power units have experienced problems (Unit 1 of Mong Duong 2 thermal power plant, Unit 2 of Hai Duong thermal power plant, etc.) and reduced capacity. Wind and solar power plants were also mobilized to the maximum.
According to the Electricity Regulatory Authority, since the beginning of April, major hydropower reservoirs nationwide have continued to face very low water inflow to the reservoirs. In the Northern region, the water level in the hydropower reservoirs only reached approximately 26-81% of the average level over many years.
