Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – Nguyen Manh Quang, Deputy Director of the Power Operations and Procurement Department of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), stated that Vietnam's national power system has faced multiple pressures since the beginning of 2026: abnormally rapid growth in electricity load, disruptions to imported fuel supplies due to global geopolitical tensions, and the potential for a sharp reduction in hydropower reservoir inflows due to El Niño, resulting in a severe power supply situation.
To implement the energy security resolution of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the relevant instructions of the Prime Minister, EVN has established a 2026 Power Supply Steering Committee, working with the national power system and the power market operating company to develop flexible dispatching plans to safeguard national energy security.
EVN is prioritizing the construction of rooftop distributed photovoltaic systems, while simultaneously implementing energy-saving and demand-side response (DR) projects. The company has set a target of 3% energy savings for the entire society in 2026, striving for 10% savings during the peak dry season from April to July, and guiding enterprises and industrial parks to stagger production to alleviate peak grid load. In addition, EVN proposes that the Ministry of Industry and Trade adjust the peak electricity consumption period to 18:30 to 22:30 to match the actual load curve and improve the mechanism to encourage user participation in load regulation.
Energy storage has become an important tool for stabilizing grid operation. Vietnam Electricity Group has already deployed energy storage construction projects: Northern Electricity Corporation is deploying 550 MW, Hanoi Electric Power Corporation 275 MW, and the National Transmission Corporation approximately 300 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Once operational, these projects will effectively alleviate peak power supply pressure and improve grid dispatch flexibility.
Nguyen The Huu, Deputy Director of the Electricity Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, stated that the Ministry approved the 2026 National Electricity System Operation Plan at the end of 2025. The baseline plan projects an 8.5% increase in electricity load, which could reach 14.1% under extreme dry season conditions. In response, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has taken multiple proactive measures, prioritizing the scientific development of various power sources and revitalizing hydropower resources. Currently, major reservoirs in the north are maintaining high water levels in preparation for the peak electricity demand during the dry season. Simultaneously, it is strengthening fuel security for gas-fired power generation and accelerating the commissioning and implementation of key power sources and transmission and transformation projects.
Affected by the situation in the Middle East, international liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal supply and prices have become more volatile. However, due to Vietnam's relatively low LNG import ratio for power generation, the overall impact is limited. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has required relevant enterprises to broaden coal supply channels, expand fuel reserves, and increase domestic production capacity to ensure a stable supply of fuel for power generation.
As of the end of the first quarter of 2026, the installed capacity of renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and biomass accounted for 26% of Vietnam's total capacity, but these are highly volatile due to weather conditions. Therefore, accelerating the construction of pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations and various energy storage facilities has become a key path to improve grid regulation capacity and absorb renewable energy.
Industry experts predict that Vietnam's power supply pressure will further increase in the second quarter of 2026: high temperatures will drive up electricity demand, coupled with industrial recovery, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the popularization of electric vehicles, leading to a continuous rise in total electricity consumption. Vietnam Electricity Group (EVG) has instructed all power generation companies to ensure fuel reserves, improve unit utilization, and scientifically manage hydropower reservoirs to balance agricultural irrigation and power generation; accelerate the construction of energy storage projects; safeguard the national, especially northern, power transmission network security; and expedite the construction of key power source and grid projects. The power sector will coordinate comprehensive measures across power sources, grids, energy storage, energy conservation, and load regulation to mitigate the risks of international energy market fluctuations and fully guarantee the electricity needs of people's livelihoods and socio-economic development. (End)
