HCMC – In response to severe electricity shortages in the north of the nation, the Government is calling upon households and companies to take energy-saving measures.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently signed a directive aimed at enhancing electricity savings in the 2023-2025 period and beyond.
As per the directive, the Government encourages households to use energy-labeled electrical and energy-efficient devices, turn them off when not in use, and consider utilizing rooftop solar power systems for water heating and other purposes.
The directive sets a target for the entire country to achieve a 2% reduction in electricity consumption compared to the total energy consumed each year. The goal is to reduce power line losses to below 6% by 2025.
Vietnam aims to have 50% of office buildings and 50% of residential houses in the country using rooftop solar power for self-consumption by 2030. Furthermore, by the end of 2025, all streetlights are expected to use LED bulbs.
The Government has requested relevant agencies and offices to develop electricity-saving plans with the objective of reducing total energy consumption by 5% each year. It also encourages the issuance of electricity-saving regulations and guidelines.
Restaurants, hotels, commercial facilities, offices, and residential buildings are urged to turn off or reduce outdoor lighting for advertising and decorations by half at night.
Businesses are encouraged to voluntarily save electricity, install solar power systems, and have backup power systems in case of shortages. They are also advised to reduce power consumption during peak hours. Facilities consuming over one million kWh per year are asked to save at least 2% of total electricity consumption.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been tasked with inspecting coal-fired thermal power plants experiencing technical issues and expediting their resumption.
The Government has also requested Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to limit power cuts to households to no more than eight hours per day and reduce blackouts during peak hours and weekends.
EVN previously reported that nine major hydropower reservoirs are currently at critically low water levels. The total available power capacity in northern Vietnam, including imported electricity, can only meet 59.2% of the installed capacity, reaching 17,500-17,900 MW. Meanwhile, the region’s daily power demand during hot weather reaches up to 23,500-24,000 MW.
