Power supply pressure in hot season

In recent days in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the hot weather has reached its peak, lasting for many days. Some areas in Ho Chi Minh City have lost power, disrupting people's lives.

Misery due to power outage

The National Electricity System and Market Operation Company Limited (NSMO) informed that after the heat wave from the end of July 2025, the Northern region entered a new period of severe heat from the beginning of August. In the first week of August, the temperature in Hanoi approached 400C, especially at Lang station, it was recorded at 39.1-39.70C, the felt temperature reached 470C, among the hottest spots in the country.

Extreme weather conditions have caused electricity consumption in the North to increase sharply, even on holidays. From August 1 to 4, the region's peak power consumption reached 25,761MW. This level is about 25% higher than normal holidays and is nearly twice the capacity of the Son La Hydropower Plant.

During peak hours from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on August 4, the largest national power consumption reached about 54,500 MW, the highest since the beginning of the year and setting a new record. This level increased by about 5,000 MW, equivalent to 10% compared to the same period in 2024. The North alone reached 28,500 MW, an increase of about 3,000 MW (up 12%). In the capital alone, data from the Hanoi Electricity Corporation (EVNHANOI) recorded that power consumption in recent days has reached an all-time high, reaching a peak of 5,988 MW (at 1:20 p.m. on August 4), equivalent to an increase of approximately 14% compared to the record capacity of 2024.

The high capacity has caused many transmission lines and transformers at 220kV and 500kV stations to be full and overloaded, such as the 500kV Son La - Viet Tri line; 220kV Thanh Cong - Ha Dong line; 500kV transformer stations in Hoa Binh , Lai Chau, Viet Tri, Tay Ha Noi, Pho Noi, Thuong Tin, Hiep Hoa, Dong Anh; 220kV transformer stations in Mai Dong, Chem, Thanh Cong, Bac Ninh 2, Dong Hoa, Ha Dong...

Ho Chi Minh City Electricity staff reinforce the power grid in Tan Thoi Hiep ward.

Previously, in Ho Chi Minh City, there was a widespread power outage in the central wards of Ho Chi Minh City. Specifically, at noon on July 30, an incident at the 220kV transformer station (formerly in District 8) caused many areas in Ho Chi Minh City to have a 30-minute power outage, while the weather was hot. The next day, at around 7:30 p.m. on July 31, many central areas of the city such as Xuan Hoa ward, Ban Co ward, Tan Thuan ward, An Dong ward, Binh Hung commune... suddenly lost power. In the central area of the city, the traffic light system was paralyzed, causing traffic jams on many roads.

Energy saving solutions

Regarding the power outage in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Bui Trung Kien, Deputy General Director of Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC), said that at the end of July, there was a widespread power outage in central wards. The power outage location was the 220kV station of District 8. This station has 2 power sources, however, during this period, 1 of the 2 sources is being upgraded and renovated and the incident occurred on the remaining line. EVNHCMC promptly transferred power from other stations to fix the problem and restore the power source.

Regarding solutions, the corporation continues to implement solutions including effectively using the smart grid system, enhancing maintenance, etc. to increase the reliability of power supply to the highest level. EVNHCMC leaders also said that they are actively encouraging businesses to install power storage systems, thereby shifting the load to off-peak hours. This is considered an important direction to optimize the load chart, reducing pressure on the system during times of intense heat or imbalance in electricity supply and demand.

Mr. Vo Quang Lam, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity Group, commented that the electricity sector in the southern provinces and cities is facing a series of significant pressures, from economic and industrial recovery, prolonged climate change, to high demand for electricity consumption. In 2024, the South recorded an electricity growth of more than 1,200 MW, a figure that shows continued pressure on the system.

To reduce the load on the system, the role of load shifting is very important. According to calculations, if the South can effectively shift about 500MW of load from peak hours to off-peak hours, it will be equivalent to avoiding investment in a large-capacity thermal power plant, saving billions of USD.

Meanwhile, according to Dr. Nguyen Cong Trang, lecturer at Ton Duc Thang University, this year's hot season is a challenge for businesses and many families. The solution of adjusting and shifting loads is beneficial for both businesses and the electricity industry. Specifically, it greatly reduces costs for businesses when switching to off-peak hours, while the reliability of electricity supply and the number of power outages and blackouts for businesses are reduced due to a stable electricity system.

The electricity industry will reduce pressure on the system, reduce overload on the lines, reduce operating costs, and investment costs for power supply sources. Regarding difficulties, the electricity industry has no favorable financial policies to support businesses, only incentives and mobilization, so it is difficult to negotiate with businesses. Renewable energy sources (solar power, wind power) are fluctuating a lot in businesses and self-installed by businesses. Therefore, forecasting load and shifting load for this power source also faces many difficulties.

Energy management in enterprises is still difficult because the electrical system is mostly traditional and manual, and energy monitoring and control in enterprises is not high. To save energy, it is necessary to apply smart automation technology, but the investment level is quite large, many enterprises cannot meet it. Adjusting and shifting loads requires energy storage. Vietnam should start early to develop energy storage technology like other countries.

On August 8, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held a meeting on the situation and solutions to ensure electricity supply for the remaining months of 2025 and the 2025-2030 period, especially after hot days and high loads.

Mr. Pham Nguyen Hung, Director of the Electricity Department, recommended that to ensure electricity supply in the 2025-2027 period, it is necessary to increase power sources to ensure electricity supply for the North; develop renewable energy and new energy; invest in building the power grid, especially the transmission grid; develop electricity storage systems and operate the power system.

In the medium and long term, there are solutions for large power sources, especially LNG power sources; perfecting institutions, promoting project implementation as well as solutions for investment in grid construction and power system operation.

DUC TRUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ap-luc-cung-ung-dien-trong-mua-nang-nong-post807773.html