Early Heatwave and Rising Electricity Demand
The National Power System Operation and Electricity Market Company (NSMO) has warned that electricity supply during the peak dry season—particularly from May to August—will face significant pressure. A widespread heatwave is expected to hit the country from March 30 to April 2, with temperatures soaring across multiple regions. In the North, temperatures are projected to range from 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, with Hanoi potentially reaching 36 to 37 degrees. Central Vietnam will experience temperatures between 37 to 39 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 40 degrees. The South and Central Highlands are expected to see temperatures between 34 to 37 degrees.
This early onset of extreme heat has already triggered a sharp increase in electricity demand. NSMO predicts that the country’s total electricity consumption could surpass 1 billion kWh per day, a record high not seen since 2024 and only previously observed during the peak of May 2025. Such a surge in demand is attributed to the prolonged heatwave, which has pushed households and industries to rely heavily on air conditioning and other cooling systems. The National Hydro-Meteorological Forecast Center has confirmed that this heatwave is the first of the year, setting the stage for a potentially challenging dry season.
The NSMO has issued urgent recommendations to promote energy efficiency and conservation, especially during the peak dry season, which is expected to last from late April to August. The company emphasized that the combination of high temperatures and increased industrial activity could strain the national power grid, requiring proactive measures to prevent blackouts or service disruptions. These warnings underscore the delicate balance between meeting rising demand and maintaining the stability of Vietnam’s electricity infrastructure.
Climate Phenomena and Their Impact on Supply
The National Hydro-Meteorological Forecast Center has highlighted the complexity of this year’s climate patterns, noting that La Niña conditions are expected to persist until March before transitioning to a neutral state. There is also a possibility of El Niño developing from mid-year with moderate to high intensity. These climatic shifts are expected to have far-reaching consequences for Vietnam’s electricity supply, particularly for hydroelectric power generation.
La Niña typically brings cooler temperatures and increased rainfall, but the early heatwave has already disrupted the natural water cycle. NSMO warns that prolonged drought conditions could reduce water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs, limiting the capacity of hydropower plants. This is compounded by the fact that the heatwave has begun in the Southeast region as early as March, spreading across the country and potentially lasting up to a week during the peak months of June to August. The combination of reduced water availability and increased demand could create a critical shortage of electricity, especially in regions heavily reliant on hydropower.
The National Power System Operation and Electricity Market Company has also pointed out that the projected rise in electricity demand will place additional pressure on the country’s energy sources. Over the first two months of the year, electricity consumption has already increased by 7.1%, with the North experiencing a 9.7% rise. During the peak dry season, demand is expected to surge by over 12%, with production levels climbing by 10 to 12%. These figures highlight the urgent need to diversify energy sources and improve grid resilience to avoid potential power shortages.
NSMO’s Measures and Infrastructure Challenges
To address the looming electricity supply crisis, NSMO has implemented a series of technical and operational strategies. These include ensuring a stable supply of natural gas, increasing the utilization of thermal power plants, and accelerating the development of energy storage systems. The company has also prioritized the expansion of the power grid, particularly in the North, where infrastructure upgrades are critical to meeting rising demand. However, progress on these projects has been slower than anticipated, posing a significant challenge to the overall stability of the power system.
One of the key concerns is the existing strain on the national grid. Several 500kV transmission lines are already operating at full capacity or beyond, increasing the risk of overloads and potential outages. NSMO has acknowledged that delays in the completion of key grid projects, coupled with the slow development of energy storage and compensation systems, have exacerbated the challenges of managing the power supply. These infrastructure limitations are further complicated by the need to balance the demand for electricity with the availability of fuel, particularly LNG and coal imports, which are vulnerable to global geopolitical fluctuations.
Despite these obstacles, NSMO has remained committed to its mandate of ensuring a reliable electricity supply. The company has organized multiple meetings since the beginning of March to refine its operational scenarios and implement contingency plans. These efforts include detailed hydrological forecasts, temperature projections, and strategies for mobilizing alternative energy sources, such as LNG and coal-fired power plants. Additionally, NSMO is working closely with the government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate a comprehensive response to the electricity supply challenges.
Conclusion
To address the looming electricity supply crisis, NSMO has implemented a series of technical and operational strategies. These include ensuring a stable supply of natural gas, increasing the utilization of thermal power plants, and accelerating the development of energy storage systems. The company has also prioritized the expansion of the power grid, particularly in the North, where infrastructure upgrades are critical to meeting rising demand. However, progress on these projects has been slower than anticipated, posing a significant challenge to the overall stability of the power system.
One of the key concerns is the existing strain on the national grid. Several 500kV transmission lines are already operating at full capacity or beyond, increasing the risk of overloads and potential outages. NSMO has acknowledged that delays in the completion of key grid projects, coupled with the slow development of energy storage and compensation systems, have exacerbated the challenges of managing the power supply. These infrastructure limitations are further complicated by the need to balance the demand for electricity with the availability of fuel, particularly LNG and coal imports, which are vulnerable to global geopolitical fluctuations.
Despite these obstacles, NSMO has remained committed to its mandate of ensuring a reliable electricity supply. The company has organized multiple meetings since the beginning of March to refine its operational scenarios and implement contingency plans. These efforts include detailed hydrological forecasts, temperature projections, and strategies for mobilizing alternative energy sources, such as LNG and coal-fired power plants. Additionally, NSMO is working closely with the government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate a comprehensive response to the electricity supply challenges.
See related coverage: Tethered Review: Imperfect Indie Horror Falls Short, But Still Delivers Chilling Moments
