The total electricity output of the entire system in July was 26.2 billion kwh, up 7.1 percent over the same period in 2022. The total output of the first seven months of the year reached 160.58 billion kwh, up 1.9 percent. 

Coal-fired power plants provided the highest output, followed by hydropower (36.8 billion kwh, 22.9 percent) and renewables.

Meanwhile, the water levels at hydropower reservoirs in the north are still low, just 30-60 percent of the average level of past years. There has been nearly no flood as reported by EVN.

As many as 79.95 billion kwh were from coal-fired thermal power, which accounted for 49.8 percent. 

Following the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s instructions, Vinacomin and Dong Bac Corporation delivered higher coal volumes than contracted to be sure that coal-fired power plants could produce higher electricity output and have higher inventory levels.

The gas turbine electricity output was 18.01 billion kwh, accounting for 11.2 percent. The gas provided was still low compared with demand from gas-fired power plants as the gas mines have declined.

The oil-run thermal power output was 1.23 billion kwh, or 0.8 percent, while renewables were 22.11 billion kwh, or 13.8 percent, including 15.48 billion kwh of solar power and 6.06 billion kwh of wind power. Vietnam imported 2.22 billion kwh, or 1.4 percent.

In the first seven months of the year, the electricity output from EVN and electricity generation corporations, including joint stock companies, was 67.55 billion kwh, or 42.07 percent of the total output of the entire system.

The National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting predicted that more heat spells will appear in August, together with rain in the north. 

In the central region, heat may continue in the first half of the month, while in the Central Highlands and southern region, there will be showers and thunderstorms. The average temperature across the country will be 0.5-1oC higher than the average level of the same period in previous years.

It is expected that the average electricity consumption in August will be 825.8 million kwh per day, up 7.3 percent over the same period 2022. 

As for hydropower, EVN said the main flood season has begun, so it is necessary to keep close watch over the water flow to hydropower reservoirs.

To mitigate difficulties in regulating the electricity system, EVN has called everyone on to save power, especially from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, and from 8pm to 10pm.

Luong Bang