According to the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC), power consumption reached an all-time record high of 36,006 MW at 13:40 on May 18. Prolonged heatwaves in 2019 will also affect the operation and undermine the efficiency of electrical equipment on the grid and home appliances in each household, making electrical incidents more likely to happen.
In the meantime, the prices of oil, gas and coal, the main inputs for power generation, are rising and the reservoirs in the central and Central Highlands regions are witnessing low water levels. The current power output of hydropower plants in the central and southern regions is estimated at 2 billion kWh, equivalent to the total national loads in just three days.
It is forecast that in the dry season and remaining months of 2019, the water levels at hydropower plant reservoirs will be lower than average. In addition, the source of gas has declined after years of extraction. The domestic coal supply is also not adequate for power generation and Vietnam has to import coal.
In this context, the state power utility EVN has made a great deal of efforts to ensure sufficient power supply both in the short term and in the long term. Hydropower plants will be able to generate power until the end of the dry season, while coal and gas-powered stations are running at their full capacity.
It is notable that EVN has proactively worked with PVN and Vinacomin to carry out the solutions that ensure fuel for power generation and provide support for nearly 100 solar farms, mainly in the south, to connect to the national grid. In addition, the installation of rooftop solar panels is also considered an effective solution to provide on-site power, thus helping to reduce pressure on the national grid.
The government has introduced a price mechanism to develop rooftop solar power. EVN is committed to providing the best support for the people and enterprises such as simplifying connection procedures, providing bi-directional power metres, and paying bills promptly for households.
Using energy safely and economically is a requirement for all agencies, offices, production facilities and the public, especially during the hot days.
People are advised to avoid using high-power appliances such as air-conditioners and electric cookers simultaneously, to set the lowest temperatures of air-conditioners at 26C, turn off unnecessary lighting and switch to energy-efficient appliances.
The ability to provide electricity depends on EVN’s production capacity and the equitisation process of the power sector. Whether power is used economically and safely in the days ahead relies largely on millions of power consumption households.
