Reporter: After a long time affected by COVID-19, now, production, business, and service activities have been gradually restored, leading to an increase in electricity consumption demand. How does this fact affect the power supply, especially in the hot season, sir?
Mr. Le Van Trang - Deputy General Director of EVNNPC
Mr. Le Van Trang: In 2021, despite being strongly affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, EVNNPC's commercial electricity output still reached 81.831 billion kWh, an increase of 9.31%, nearly 3 times the average growth of commercial electricity in the whole country. Entering 2022, when the epidemic situation is gradually controlled, the economy has recovered and grown again, and the electricity demand of customers has been growing strongly.
According to the summer 2022 forecast, the load in the northern provinces and cities will grow strongly by ~ 12% - 15% compared to 2021 and may reach the threshold of 16,500 - 16,950MW, while the additional power source in the North in 2022 is negligible.
In the first 5 months of 2022, although the weather was quite cool, the total commercial electricity of EVNNPC still reached 32.9 billion kWh, up 6.44% compared to the same period in 2021. Some localities experienced strong growth, such as Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, etc.
EVNNPC still ensures a safe and reliable power supply for customers. However, in times of extreme heat, the power supply will face many more difficulties. The Northern power system may shortage peak capacity during peak hours: noon from 12h00 - 15h00, night from 21h00 - 24h00.
Reporter: The North is entering extremely hot days, what solutions has EVNNPC taken to ensure a stable power supply, sir?
Mr. Le Van Trang: Determining that the work of ensuring electricity in the hot season in 2022 will face many challenges, right from the first quarter of 2022, EVNNPC has established a Steering Committee for power supply and constructed operating regulations of the Steering Committee, which clearly assign tasks and responsibilities of each member. EVNNPC has also directed the Power companies to work with customers to implement the load adjustment program (DR); at the same time, EVNNPC is recommended that customers have backup generators to be ready to commit to mobilizing when there is a shortage of sources or when there isn’t an imbalance between supply and demand.
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On June 21, 2022, the load in the North peaked at 14,561MW, exceeding 716MW compared to the peak capacity of 2021.
With the support of capacity regulation from industrial customers, the system has reduced power consumption by about 430MW. Therefore, the North is still guaranteed to have enough electricity.
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Reporter: What recommendations do you have for customers in using electricity economically and efficiently?
Mr. Le Van Trang: For customers who are businesses, electricity prices at off-peak hours are cheaper than during peak hours and normal hours. Therefore, businesses need to rationally arrange production shifts or lines that consume a lot of electricity at off-peak hours to save electricity costs; at the same time, install the inverter system; make the most of natural light; install LED lights in lighting, etc.
For households, it is recommended to use energy-saving LED lights; close the door when using the air conditioner, so the air conditioner should be at a temperature of 25-28 degrees; the refrigerator should not have too much food, open and close the cabinet too many times; regular maintenance and cleaning of electrical equipment; unplug electronics from electrical outlets when not in use; using appliances with inverter power-saving technology; make the most of the light and wind from the natural environment.
Besides, customers can contact Hotline 19006769 for more specific advice.
PV: Thank you very much!