According to the statistics of the National Load Dispatch Center (A0), the severe heat in all three regions has led to the maximum capacity (Pmax) and daily electricity consumption (A day) on a national scale increasing with new record numbers for the national power system.
Specifically, at 1:30 p.m. on April 27, the national maximum capacity reached 47,670 MW. The national consumption on April 26 also reached 993 million kWh. The maximum power on April 27 and 28 decreased slightly, but both remained above 44,000 MW.
People compete to “flex” their …electricity bills
Especially in Ho Chi Minh City – which is experiencing peak heat, on the billing date in Ho Chi Minh City (May 1), many people complained about unexpected high electricity bills.
In a series of posts on social networks, instead of boasting about the value of luxury items with high prices, posts “showing off” electricity bills have attracted a lot of attention from people. In the comment section, there were countless electricity bills from millions to tens of millions, which shocked many people.
Nguyen Thanh Nhan (Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) said that in the past two months, the electricity bill in his house has been around 2.5 – 2.6 million VND, double that of previous months. Due to the hot weather, the family often uses three air conditioners in the evening for three separate bedrooms. Nhan shared:
“During the day, my whole family goes to school and work, and only stays home in the evening. Although the weather in the evening is milder than during the day, it is still quite stuffy and uncomfortable. Everyone wants the evening to be a time to relax after a tiring day, so even if we have to eat and spend less, we will accept it.”
Nhan also said that he often tries to keep the room temperature at only 26 – 27 degrees Celsius as recommended, but the electricity bill in recent months has still increased “dizzily” because the time using air conditioning has increased significantly.
Many people said that their electricity bill last month doubled or even tripled compared to the previous month. Even for those who rent rooms, the electricity bill exceeds the rent.
Mr. N.V.T (Ho Chi Minh City) said that his electricity bill this month was twice that of the previous month due to increased use of air conditioning.
“I live alone, so last month I only used 400,000 VND, but this month it has increased to 900,000 VND. Since I go to work during the day, I mainly only use it from evening to the next morning, about 6 hours. Last month, I only turned on the air conditioner until about midnight, or even not at all on some days, but last month, because of the hot weather, I had to turn it on all the time. It’s so hot, that’s the only way I can sleep.”
Be Thi Bang (Ho Chi Minh City) also said that because of the nature of her job, she is often away from home, some months she only stays for about 2 weeks and even last month she was away almost all the time, but the electricity bill was still three times higher than the average of other months.
“I see that every year, the electricity bill will start to increase suddenly from peak months like this, all due to the hot weather, it’s a common situation. During the peak electricity bill season like this, I also have to solve it myself by reducing my electricity usage, limiting the use of light bulbs, electric cookers, induction cookers, using air conditioners during peak hours… or saving electricity for 3 to 5 hours each day.”
EVN forecasts that electricity consumption will continue to increase
EVN forecasts that in the coming time, the hot weather will be more complicated, and the number of days of severe heat may be longer than the average of previous years. For the North, as this is only the first severe heat wave, although the electricity consumption in the North has increased compared to before, it has not yet reached the peak ever recorded in the past.
Therefore, electricity consumption in the North will continue to increase in the upcoming heat waves of this summer. Besides, the occurrence of hot weather in all three regions will also lead to a sharp increase in electricity consumption nationwide, putting a lot of pressure on the operation and supply of electricity in the late dry season.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung – Deputy Director of the National Power System Dispatching Center said that 2024 is a year of relatively strong growth in electricity demand for the whole country, as well as in the North. Therefore, the national power grid operation plan in 2024 states that the growth rate of electricity demand for the whole economy in 2024 will reach 9.6%/year, the highest since 2018.
Mr. Trung also forecasted that in May, June, and July, the heat will be stronger, and the growth rate could reach up to 13%.
To contribute to ensuring the electricity supply during the hot summer of 2024, EVN recommends that people and electricity customers drastically save electricity, especially during peak evening hours (from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm). In particular, it is important to use air conditioners reasonably, only turning them on when really necessary, setting the temperature at 26 – 27 degrees Celsius or higher, and, if possible, using them in combination with fans; at the same time, avoiding the simultaneous use of multiple high-power electrical appliances during peak hours.
Customers should also avoid using multiple high-power electrical appliances at the same time during peak hours. ” Saving electricity thoroughly also reduces the risk of electrical accidents and limits the increase in electricity bills “, EVN recommends.
