Prolonged heat, high electricity consumption

(Baonghean.vn) -In recent days, the hot weather has lasted for a long time, causing the demand for electricity in Nghe An to increase dramatically.

During the recent record hot days, the amount of electricity consumed in Nghe An province has increased dramatically. For example, on May 30, the maximum capacity reached 414 MW, the electricity consumption increased by nearly 65% ​​compared to normal days, increased by 22% compared to the peak day of the same period in 2014, reaching 8.6 million kWh.

In the first 5 months of this year, the accumulated electricity consumption reached 688 million KWh, an increase of 11.42% over the same period, of which, the service sector customers (restaurants, hotels...) increased the highest, nearly 70%; administrative units increased by 26%; people's consumption increased by 7%... In May alone, the electricity consumption reached 159.8 million KWh, an increase of 11% over the previous month and an increase of 12% over May 2014.In particular, in Vinh city, if in previous months the electricity consumption was only at 900,000KW/month, this time it suddenly increased to over 2 million KWh/month, more than double compared to before.

During these hot days, Mr. Nguyen Huu Dat's family in Yen Binh block, Hung Phuc ward has to use all the cooling appliances in the house at full capacity to reduce the harsh heat of this summer. Due to using many electrical appliances, his family's electricity bill this month has more than doubled compared to last month. "In April, the electricity bill was less than 500,000 VND, but in May it jumped to more than 1 million VND," said Mr. Dat.

Vinh City Electricity workers upgrade the power grid.

The high demand for electricity has also caused overloads leading to power failures. To provide a stable power supply, the electricity industry is focusing all human and material resources on preventing power source overloads. Mr. Le Viet Hue - Area 2 Management Team, Vinh City Electricity said that Vinh City Electricity currently has 606 transformer stations of all kinds, supplying electricity to households in 25 wards and communes. To ensure sufficient electricity supply for production and consumption, and at the same time prevent power overloads, the unit has rotated and increased the capacity of 7 transformer stations, connected and energized 13 new interleaved transformer stations, rotated 6 transformer stations to prevent grid overloads; connected load sharing, reduced power supply radius, replaced wires to reduce grid losses. In addition, we always prepare technical solutions, materials, equipment; arranged staff and workers on duty to quickly handle power failures.

Talking to us about solutions to prevent overload and ensure electricity for this year's hot season, Mr. Dinh Xuan Tien - Head of Technical Department, Nghe An Electricity Company said: To prepare for the hot season, the electricity industry has focused on many solutions such as: handling the medium and low voltage grid to ensure stability; implementing overload prevention, increasing the capacity of 140 transformer stations, mainly concentrated in areas with high loads such as Vinh City, Nghi Loc, Dien Chau, Quynh Luu; balancing phases, transferring loads between transformer stations, borrowing some transformer stations from customers...

However, due to the high demand for electricity for daily life, it has led to electrical incidents such as circuit breakers tripping and cable breaks causing local power outages in some areas. Nghe An Electricity has mobilized forces and taken timely remedial measures. “In the face of the complicated hot weather situation, we always arrange staff and workers on duty, continuously measure current and balance phases from 10-24 hours every day. We also rotate some transformer stations, build 28 more field stations, of which 6 are in Vinh City. This year alone, the Company has invested 100 billion VND to improve the quality of power sources and prevent overloads,” Mr. Tien added.

According to forecasts, in the coming days, the hot weather will continue. Along with the efforts of the electricity industry, each person needs to raise awareness and responsibility in using electricity economically. Do not use many high-capacity devices at the same time and during peak hours. Set the air conditioner mode at a moderate level, thus saving the amount of electricity consumed by the family, and actively contributing to preventing overloading of the power source as at present.

Thu Huyen