Facing the situation that the useful water reserves in 40 large hydropower reservoirs managed by the Viet Nam Electricity (EVN) are less than 24.7% of the designed useful capacity, corresponding to the output remaining electricity of 1,885 billion kWh. This requires that in more than 3 months of the hot summer season, businesses, organisations and households should use electricity reasonably to ensure electricity supply in the context of difficult weather affected by the highly possible El Nino phenomenon.

The Da Nang Electricity One Member Limited Liability Company actively monitors the consumption of electricity and performs the work of dispatching the power system to ensure safe and uninterrupted power supply to the city. Photo: H.H

Over recent days, due to the hot weather occurring in the northern and central regions, the demand for electricity has soared up. On May 18 alone, the National Load Dispatch Centre under the EVN planned to mobilise the power source to a maximum capacity of 41,718MW (41.7 million kW). However, as of noon on May 18, the useful water reserve in 40 EVN-managed large hydroelectric reservoirs across Viet Nam was only 7.64 billion m³ of water, less than 24.7% of the designed capacity, corresponding to the remaining power output of 1,885 billion kWh.

According to EVN, the demand for electricity in the country is still on upward trend especially during the scorching months of May, June and July. EVN has urged the People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities to pay attention to direct the economical and efficient use of electricity.

Specifically, administrative and non-business units should save 10% monthly electricity consumption over the same period, whilst schools, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries and sanatoriums should make a 5% decrease in monthly electricity consumption.

In a similar vein, restaurants, hotels, commercial service establishments, office complexes and apartment buildings should reduce 50% of their outdoor decorative advertising lighting capacity at night. Households using electricity for daily life should actively reduce consumption demand and do not set the air conditioner temperature below 26 degree Celsius.

According to Da Nang Power Company Limited (PC Da Nang), the highest daily consumption in 2023 of Da Nang city is forecasted at about 12 million kWh and the maximum capacity is 580MW.

The prolonged blistering heat normally leads to an abrupt upsurge of electricity consumption demand as families often use electrical equipment for cooling such as air conditioners and fans.

PC Da Nang recommends that agencies, offices, businesses and households continue to use electricity in the most economical and efficient manner, while contributing to minimising the risk of local overload of the power grid and limiting a dramatic rise in the electricity bill.

Also, customers should closely monitor the daily electricity index at https://pcdn.cpc.vn/tracuu to have a reasonable electricity use plan”.

In particular, when using air conditioners, temperature should be set in the optimal mode, at 26 degree Celsius and above. Also, it is recommended to increase the use of fans to circulate air, instead of air conditioners for the sake of health.

It is also a need to turn off electrical appliances when not in use, regularly clean and maintain equipment to ensure their stable and economical operation and use energy efficient appliances.

In addition to some solutions to help save electricity in the hot summer season, Da Nang PC also gives some recommendations to ensure safety when using electricity such as turning off unnecessary electrical equipment before leaving the house or before sleeping, immediately disconnecting heat-generating electrical equipment and tools, including electric stoves and electric resistance heating devices from the power source when not in use, avoiding leaving combustible substances (gas, gasoline, oil, paper and fabric) near power lines and equipment, and making calls to 19001909 when there are abnormal signs or any electrical problems.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by A.THU