Electricity consumption is setting new records due to the heat.
Vietnam Electricity (EVN) said that the widespread heat wave has led to a spike in electricity consumption, with peak system capacity even surpassing the highest peak of 2017.
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| At the control room of an EVN power plant. Photo: Viet Ha |
According to the National Power System Dispatch Center, in the past few days, when the severe heat wave occurred widely, mainly in the North and Central regions, it led to a sharp increase in electricity consumption; even the system's peak capacity far exceeded the highest peak capacity of 2017.
Specifically, on May 18, 2018, the system's peak capacity reached 32,863 MW, while the highest peak capacity in 2017 on August 9, 2017 reached 30,857 MW.
Thus, up to now, the peak capacity of the entire national power system has increased to 1,788 MW compared to the peak of 2017 - the capacity of 1,788 MW is almost equal to the capacity of the entire Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant.
During the recent hot days, electricity consumption on May 17, 2018 was a record high - reaching 683 million kWh, an increase of 41 million kWh compared to the highest daily output of 2017 (642 million kWh - August 9, 2017), the increase of 41 million kWh is equivalent to Hanoi's consumption on a day with normal weather.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the peak of the 2018 hot season will continue in May, June, and July.
The highest temperature in 2018 in the Northern provinces may reach 38-39 degrees Celsius, with some places such as Son La and Hoa Binh experiencing heat waves of 40 degrees Celsius.
In the Central region, the heat may be more intense, with the highest temperature reaching 39-40 degrees Celsius, and in some places the temperature may be around 41-42 degrees Celsius.
This has led to a sudden increase in electricity demand, mainly due to the very high use of air conditioners and cooling equipment, leading to the risk of overloading and overloading the local power grid in some areas, causing unsafe and unstable operation of the power system.
With hot weather continuing in the summer, EVN continues to recommend that agencies, offices and people thoroughly use electricity economically and effectively, especially when hot weather persists.
Especially when using air conditioning, it is important to keep it in optimal mode, only set at 26 degrees Celsius or higher, to both ensure electricity savings for customers, minimize the risk of local grid overload, and limit the situation of sudden increase in electricity bills.
