Attending the workshop, on behalf of the Ministries, branches, and central and local state management agencies, there was Mr. Nguyen The Huu - Deputy Director General of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Industry and Trade; Mr. Le Dang Xuan Tan - Deputy Director of the Southern Power System Dispatch Center, the National Electricity System and Market Operation Company Limited (Ministry of Industry and Trade); representatives of the Department of Industry and Trade of Long An province; Department of Industry and Trade of Dong Nai province.

On the side of EVN and its member units, there were Mr. Vo Quang Lam - Vice President of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dung - Head of the Business Department, leader of EVN Communications Department; Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan - Vice President of Southern Power Corporation, Mr. Bui Trung Kien - Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation.

Challenges from double-digit growth target

At the workshop, Mr. Nguyen The Huu - Deputy Director General of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, said that the Resolution of the Party and Government has determined to achieve a growth rate of about 8% in 2025 and double-digit growth in the following years. This also poses significant challenges for the Power industry.

It is forecasted that the load in 2025 may grow up to 12.2% for the whole year, with the maximum capacity nationwide reaching 54,510MW.

Ensuring a stable power supply for people's daily lives and major cultural and political events in 2025 has been an early priority directed by the Government leaders and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The Prime Minister issued Directive No. 01/CT-TTg dated 3 January 2025 on proactive solutions to ensure electricity supply for production, business, and people's lives during peak periods in 2025 and the period 2026-2030, the Minister of Industry and Trade issued Directive No. 02/CT-BCT dated 23 January  2025 on ensuring electricity supply during peak periods in 2025 and the period 2026-2030.

Workshop taking place at headquarters of Southern Power Corporation. Photo source: Tien Phong

Public, business, and societal collaboration is crucial

In 2025, the target of commercial electricity is 300.9 billion kWh, with a reserve plan of up to 305.6 billion kWh to meet the high-growth scenario. The maximum load capacity of the entire system is expected to reach 54,510MW, an increase of 11.35% compared to 2024.

The cool weather at the beginning of the year has caused a slower increase in demand.  In the first quarter of 2025, commercial electricity output reached 63.645 billion kWh, an increase of approximately 4.43% compared to the same period last year; however, the demand trend is expected to continue rising sharply during the upcoming dry and hot seasons. In response to this situation, EVN has proactively developed power supply scenarios to suit all possible situations, including cases where electricity demand grows by 12–13%, to ensure national energy security.

Development of generation and grid infrastructure, investment, and construction efforts have been intensified across the entire Vietnam Electricity (EVN). In 2024, the total disbursement value of EVN's investment capital reached VND 112,892 billion, surpassing the annual plan by 10.8%. EVN is implementing 10 power source projects, with a total capacity of about 8,800MW. In particular, in 2025, EVN will focus on completing key projects such as the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Expansion, Quang Trach I Thermal Power Plant, Lao Cai - Vinh Yen 500kV line, Nho Quan - Phu Ly - Thuong Tin 500/220kV line, national grid power supply line for Con Dao district, etc.

In anticipation of a surge in power demand during the hot months of 2025, EVN and its subsidiaries have proactively implemented demand-side management programs, including load-shifting and electricity-saving measures.

Translator: Hải Yến