HCMC – Vietnam’s electricity consumption has hit a record high as the protracted heat wave has pushed up power demand, according to the National System and Market Operator (NSMO).
Both the national power system and northern Vietnam set new records in 2026 for peak capacity and electricity consumption.
The national grid recorded a peak capacity of 58,103 MW at 1:40 p.m. on May 26, up 5.7% from the previous record set in 2025, NSMO said. Daily electricity consumption also reached a record 1.21 billion kilowatt hours for the first time, surpassing the previous high by 9.1%.
Compared with the same period last year, national electricity output rose 15.7%, while peak demand increased 15.4%, according to the operator.
Northern Vietnam, where temperatures have surged amid severe hot weather, recorded a peak capacity of 29,716 MW at 1:20 p.m., up 5.4% from the 2025 record. Electricity consumption in the region climbed to a record 629 million kWh, also 5.4% higher than the previous peak.
Electricity output in northern Vietnam increased 25.4%, while peak demand rose 26.4%.
Electricity consumption in the northern, central and southern regions totaled 629 million kWh, 109 million kWh and 474 million kWh, respectively, accounting for 51.9%, 9% and 39.1% of national consumption.
NSMO said power demand and electricity output across the national grid had repeatedly broken records in recent days as high temperatures had boosted cooling demand.
