Vietnam Electricity Group recommends using electricity economically during the hot season.

Since the beginning of 2023, despite facing many difficulties due to general fluctuations in the economy, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has still made every effort to provide electricity for socio-economic development and people's needs. Recently, due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, heat waves, droughts, and water shortages have seriously affected hydroelectric reservoirs.

Regarding the water level of hydroelectric reservoirs, as of May 11, 2023, there has been11/47large hydroelectric reservoir with water leveldead water or near dead waterincluding: Lai Chau, Trung Son, Dong Nai 2, Buon Tua Srah, Huong Son, Tri An, Ialy, Song Ba Ha, Xekaman 1, Dakr Tih, Se San 4; 21/47 large hydroelectric reservoirs have a remaining capacity of less than 20% such as Son La (2 days full load), Tuyen Quang (2 days), Thac Ba (2 days), ... and 16 reservoirs have a water level lower than the minimum water level of the Inter-reservoir Operation Procedure.

Ialy Hydroelectric Lake.

Especially in the hydroelectric reservoirs in the Northern region, all 12/12 large hydroelectric reservoirs have very poor water flow, the frequency of water flow to many reservoirs is the worst in the past 100 years (as of May 11, 2023). In April and early May alone, water flow to the reservoirs was only below 50% of the average of many years (TBNN), some reservoirs only reached 20% compared to TBNN, causing a serious water shortage for hydroelectric reservoirs.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has assessed that due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, the risk of water shortages will continue until the end of the dry season in 2023. The total flow to large reservoirs in the North Central region is forecast to be 15-35% lower, in the Central Central and South Central regions 15-40% lower, and in the Central Highlands 10-25% lower than the average of many years. Risk of water shortages during the remainder of the dry seasonwill be serious.

In addition, the demand for electricity is on the rise, especially during the hot seasons and May, June and July (May 6, 2023, although it was a weekend and right after the April 30 - May 1 holiday, the electricity demand of the national power system increased to a new record of ~895 million kWh, the highest since the beginning of the year and an increase of 12.34% over the same period in May 2022; the maximum consumption capacity reached 43,300 MW, the highest since the beginning of the year and an increase of 9.12% over the same period in May 2022).

In the spirit of actively implementing Directive No. 20/CT-TTg dated May 7, 2020 on enhancing electricity saving in the period of 2020 - 2025 and Official Dispatch No. 397/CD-TTg dated May 13, 2023 on proactively implementing urgent measures to respond to the risk of heat, drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion of the Prime Minister, Vietnam Electricity Group issued Document No. 2466/BC-EVN dated May 15, 2023 recommending the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to pay attention to directing the work of using electricity economically and effectively in the area with the following contents:

1. Promote communication about the difficult electricity supply situation in 2023 on local mass media so that organizations, agencies, businesses and people know, share difficulties and increase electricity saving practices.

2. Strengthening solutions on electricity saving and voluntary non-commercial electricity load adjustment (DR):

- Administrative units save 10% of monthly electricity consumption compared to the same period.

- Schools, hospitals, clinics, infirmaries, and nursing homes save 5% of monthly electricity consumption compared to the same period.

- Public lighting units (PSUs) apply measures to save 50% of monthly electricity consumption compared to the same period.

- Restaurants, hotels, commercial service establishments, office complexes and apartment buildings must reduce 50% of the lighting capacity for outdoor advertising and decoration at night, comply with regulations on economical and efficient lighting, and be ready to cut and reduce electricity usage when notified by the local electricity unit in case of power shortage[1].

- Direct/notify industrial production customers, especially customers with large electricity consumption, to implement voluntary electricity load adjustment (DR) programs according to Circular No. 23/2017/TT-BCT dated November 16, 2017 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, when notified by the electricity unit.

- Strengthen communication work for households using electricity for daily life so that they can proactively reduce consumption and not set air conditioner temperature below 26°C.⁰C.

3. Regularly monitor the website https://sudungdien.evn.com.vn/ to update information on monthly/yearly electricity consumption of administrative agencies, public lighting and key energy-using facilities to manage electricity saving activities in the area.

4. Strengthen inspection and examination of compliance with the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy and Directive No. 20/CT-TTg dated May 7, 2020, and take measures to handle individuals and organizations that do not comply.

5. Direct relevant departments, branches and sectors to coordinate with Power Corporations and Power Companies to develop plans and implement power outages and reductions in the area according to Articles 5 and 6 of Circular No. 22/2020/TT-BCT dated September 9, 2020 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on regulations on conditions and procedures for power outages and reductions.

Vinh City Electricity workers check and repair circuit breakers of electrical cabinets to ensure safe and stable power supply, improving reliability for customers.

Previously, on April 28, 2023, Vietnam Electricity Group also reported to the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the critical situation of electricity supply, stating that in extreme situations, prolonged hot days, water levels of large hydroelectric reservoirs drop sharply, etc., the Northern power system will face great difficulties in supplying electricity. In addition, in this document, EVN also recommended that the Ministry of Industry and Trade direct the implementation of many urgent solutions to overcome difficulties in electricity supply, not only for the hot season of 2023 but also for the coming years./.

[1]Point b, Section 1, Directive 20/CT-TTg, dated May 7, 2020 of the Prime Minister on enhancing electricity saving in the period 2020 - 2025