The Prime Minister has firmly directed that power shortages must not occur under any circumstances. (Photo: VGP)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed an official dispatch on urgent measures to guarantee sufficient electricity supply during the peak months of 2025 and beyond.

To ensure the continued, urgent, and effective implementation of solutions for the safe, stable, and uninterrupted operation of the national power system, the PM asked the Ministers of Industry and Trade; Finance; and Agriculture and Environment; Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-governed cities, as well as Chairpersons and General Directors of Vietnam Electricity (EVN); Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group (Petrovietnam); and Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin); and the Commander of Corps 19 under the Ministry of National Defence to maintain the highest level of focus to ensure adequate electricity for production, business activities, and daily life, and to decisively prevent any electricity shortages under any circumstances.

The Minister of Industry and Trade is tasked with urgently implementing the recently adjusted National Power Development Plan VIII. Regular monitoring and timely updates on weather developments must be informed to build methods for the operations of the power system, ensuring the availability of generation capacity and readiness to meet increased power demand during periods of extreme heat in the summer peak.

Hydropower plants are to closely track hydrological conditions and apply flexible measures to optimise water resource use, maximise water storage following inter-reservoir operation protocols, and align operations with hydrometeorological forecasts to ensure adequate reserves and power generation capacity during the dry season of 2025. Maintenance efforts must be ramped up to keep operations at the maximum capacity.

Coal- and gas-fired power plants must strictly oversee fuel supply chains to prevent any shortages. Operators are required to proactively maintain and service equipment and stockpile essential spare parts to ensure optimal performance and minimise breakdowns during the peak period.

Wind and solar power plants are urged to enhance their storage and charging capabilities to improve efficiency and increase their contributions to overall power supply.

Transmission system operators are instructed to strengthen monitoring teams, tighten supervision over operations of the power grids, and implement timely and appropriate solutions to ensure safe, stable, and reliable power transmission. Special attention must be given to mitigating risks from extreme weather conditions such as storms and lightning.

Electricity consumption surges rapidly during hot days, placing significant pressure on the power system. (Photo: VNA)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment must enhance weather and disaster forecasting, particularly for prolonged heatwaves, and provide accurate, timely data to support power system management and risk reduction.

Provincial and municipal authorities must take proactive steps to resolve local regulatory and procedural issues affecting energy projects, expedite project progress, and complete all procedures related to land clearance for the 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen transmission line by June 30, 2025, across Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc provinces.

They are also required to intensify energy-saving efforts, especially in public lighting and outdoor advertising or decorative lighting. Local authorities should develop incentive programmes to promote the development and efficient use of local renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

The leaders of EVN, Petrovietnam, Vinacomin, and Corps 19 are directed to intensify efforts in implementing assigned power generation and transmission projects, ensuring compliance with schedule, quality, efficiency, and environmental standards. Close coordination with ministries, sectors, and local administrations is required to resolve bottlenecks in site clearance, grid connections, and power investment.

These leaders must also guarantee that power plants under their management are fully prepared for operations and ensure no shortages of critical inputs (coal, gas, oil) for thermal power plants, nor water shortfalls in hydropower reservoirs, strictly adhering to approved reservoir operation protocols./.

VNA