The Extreme Heat Wave: A Strain on the Electrical Grid

Record-Breaking Electricity Demand

On August 8, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held a meeting to discuss electricity supply保障 for the remaining months of 2025 and the period from 2025 to 2030, especially after the recent heatwaves and high power demand.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Ninh, Director General of the National Load Dispatch Center and the Electricity Market (NLDC), the early days of August witnessed an intense heatwave in the North, leading to a surge in electricity demand.

The Northern power grid’s peak capacity from August 1 to 4 reached 28,187 MW, a significant increase of 4,000-5,000 MW compared to Sundays in July. Nationwide, the country’s power grid hit a new high for 2025, with a peak capacity of 54,939 MW, approximately 5,000 MW (or 10%) higher than the same period last year.

Electricity consumption on August 4 also broke records, reaching 1,112 million kWh, an increase of 86 million kWh (8.4%) year-on-year.

Mr. Ninh stated, “The sudden surge in load demand led to low voltage in the Northern transmission grid.” He also mentioned that the NLDC mobilized all available power sources in the North, coordinated water storage in small hydropower plants to concentrate capacity during peak hours, and utilized oil-fired units in the South to ensure the country’s peak capacity.

Looking ahead, Mr. Ninh predicted that the system would essentially be able to meet electricity demands until the end of the year. However, to ensure stable and safe power supply in the future, he proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade strengthen its supervision and provide guidance for traditional power projects outlined in the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII. He also suggested focusing on electricity import projects from Laos and China.

System Pressures During Extreme Heat

Mr. Phan Tu Giang, Vice President of Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam), shared that in the first seven months, the power plants in the Petrovietnam system had generated 18.9 billion kWh, achieving 79% of the plan assigned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. “Currently, all power plants of Petrovietnam are in a state of readiness and can fully meet the NLDC’s capacity mobilization requirements,” affirmed Mr. Giang.

Mr. Dang Hoang An, Chairman of the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) Member Council, assessed that except for some localized tensions when the system recorded record-high power consumption nationwide, the power grid is operating safely and stably.

Notably, the North experienced a sudden surge in power demand, with a 3,000 MW increase, equivalent to an 11% year-on-year rise. “Overall, power sources have been optimized to ensure the system’s economic efficiency,” said Mr. Dang Hoang An. “However, the most significant challenge is prolonged and abnormal extreme heatwaves, which would put immense pressure on the power grid.”

Ms. Do Nguyet Anh, Chairwoman of the Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC), pointed out that the North currently faces the most challenging power supply situation in the country, with a load growth rate consistently higher than the national average.

“During the peak of the heatwave on August 4, when a line incident occurred, the Corporation proactively coordinated with NLDC and major customers in Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Hai Phong, and Phu Tho to adjust loads quickly, temporarily halt production, and reduce 460 MW of power demand,” she said. “This helped avoid emergency power cuts in the entire North and significantly contributed to ensuring the stability of the national power system.”

Mr. Pham Nguyen Hung, Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, suggested several short-term measures to ensure electricity supply from 2025 to 2027. These include increasing power sources for the North, improving legal regulations, promoting renewable and new energy sources, investing in power grids (especially transmission grids), developing electricity storage systems, and optimizing the operation of the power system.

For the medium and long term, Mr. Hung emphasized the need for solutions regarding large-scale power sources, particularly LNG-fired power plants. He also highlighted the importance of institutional improvements and the implementation of projects, as well as investments in grid construction and power system operations.