Power capacity hits new peak, electricity saving becomes urgent requirement
The continuous increase in electricity demand, with system capacity exceeding 58,000 MW, is posing many challenges for the power sector. Experts say that using electricity economically and efficiently is an important solution to ensure national energy security.
Power demand surges, power system faces many challenges
At the seminar, Mr. Dang Hai Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade), said that recently the peak capacity of the power system has exceeded 58,000 MW, while daily electricity output has reached over 1 billion kWh. This is a very large consumption level, reflecting the strong growth rate of the economy and increasing energy demand.
According to Mr. Dung, energy growth is always linked to economic growth. In the context of Vietnam's target of double-digit growth, electricity demand for production, business, and daily life will continue to rise in the coming years.
However, ensuring electricity supply faces many challenges. Geopolitical instability in the world can directly affect the energy supply chain, increasing the prices of coal, oil, gas, and electricity production costs. New requirements for carbon emission reduction, green taxes, or the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in major export markets also put pressure on the transition to cleaner energy sources.
Additionally, the increasing share of renewable energy makes forecasting and operating the power system more complex due to heavy dependence on weather conditions. In the context of unpredictable climate change, balancing electricity supply and demand becomes an increasingly difficult problem.
According to a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, accelerating investment in power source and grid projects also faces many difficulties related to investment procedures, site clearance, and resource mobilization.
Faced with these challenges, the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade are implementing many synchronous solutions. Among them, using energy economically and efficiently is identified as one of the important pillars to ensure national energy security.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is promoting energy audit programs, supporting businesses in technological innovation, and researching financial mechanisms to encourage efficient energy use. At the same time, the Ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to establish a Fund for Economical and Efficient Energy Use to create additional resources for the green transition process.
Proactive fuel sources, ensuring electricity supply during peak season
Sharing at the seminar, Mr. Ngo Son Hai, Deputy General Director of EVN, said that fluctuations in the world energy market have directly affected the progress and price of fuel for power generation.
Currently, EVN's power plants use both domestic coal and imported coal. LNG gas for power generation is supplied through units under the oil and gas industry. To proactively respond to market fluctuations, as early as March 2026, EVN directed power generation units to coordinate with coal and gas suppliers to review and adjust fuel supply plans.
According to Mr. Hai, in reality, during recent periods, especially during prolonged heatwaves, coal and gas sources have basically been ensured, meeting the requirements for power system operation.
However, ensuring electricity supply requires not only sufficient fuel but also maintaining high readiness of power generation units. The maintenance, repair, and safe operation of plants play a particularly important role during peak periods.
The EVN representative said that currently, the proportion of power sources directly managed by EVN accounts for only about 37% of the total system capacity. Therefore, ensuring electricity supply requires synchronous coordination of all power generation units across the system.
"With the involvement of units across the industry, along with proactive fuel sourcing and improving the readiness of power plants, electricity supply in 2026 will continue to be ensured," emphasized Mr. Ngo Son Hai.
Electricity saving will be a key strategy in the new development phase
According to Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion Dang Hai Dung, energy saving and electricity saving will continue to be one of Vietnam's key strategies in the coming time.
Since 2010, Vietnam has issued the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy. By 2025, the law has been amended to strengthen the management of energy use in production, business, and consumption, instead of being mainly incentive-based as before.
In the context of major markets such as Europe applying carbon taxes, carbon certificates, and sustainable development standards, efficient energy use not only contributes to ensuring energy security but also enhances the competitiveness of businesses and the economy.
According to the Government's requirements, state agencies and businesses must develop plans, targets, and norms for economical and efficient energy use; at the same time, strengthen control over energy consumption. Standards and regulations on energy use will also be gradually raised to meet the requirements of green production and exports. According to Directive No. 10, the efficiency of energy use in production and service activities must increase by at least 5%.
In addition, Vietnam will promote electricity demand management, optimize power system operation, and effectively exploit solar power sources.
To support businesses, the State is implementing energy audit programs to identify waste and energy-saving potential; simultaneously building a network of energy experts and consultants to connect businesses with appropriate technological solutions.
Notably, the authorities are drafting a proposal to establish a Fund for Economical and Efficient Energy Use. The fund will not only provide technical support but also financial support, helping businesses invest in technological innovation, improve energy use efficiency, and meet green development requirements.
Le Bao
