According to the National System and Market Operation Company Limited (NSMO), on April 7, an intense heatwave swept across large parts of the country, with temperatures ranging from 37 to 40 degrees Celsius. In several areas, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, including Tay Hieu (Nghe An) at 41.9 degrees Celsius and Ha Tinh at 40.8 degrees Celsius.

The extreme heat drove national electricity consumption to surge to 1.078 billion kWh, an increase of 70 million kWh compared to March 31.

The system’s peak capacity reached 51,691 MW at 3:55 pm, with the northern region alone hitting 24,717 MW - setting a new record for 2026 and marking a 12 percent increase year-on-year.

Total electricity output nationwide reached 1.078 billion kWh, up 15.2 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Of this, the northern region consumed 501 million kWh, the central region 106 million kWh, and the southern region 467 million kWh.

In terms of the generation mix, hydropower contributed 187.5 million kWh (17.4 percent), coal-fired power 626.6 million kWh (58.1 percent), and gas turbines 102.9 million kWh (9.6 percent). Gas consumption included 10.8 million cubic meters in the Southeast region - the maximum supply capacity - along with 3.2 million cubic meters in the Southwest and 4.8 million cubic meters of LNG.

Additional contributions came from biomass at 5.2 million kWh (0.5 percent), wind power at 38.3 million kWh (3.6 percent), solar power at 56.9 million kWh (5.3 percent), and other sources at 9.5 million kWh (0.9 percent).

Notably, rooftop solar alone generated an estimated 50.8 million kWh, accounting for 4.7 percent of total electricity output on April 7. This places rooftop solar ahead of both wind and biomass, making it the country’s fifth-largest electricity source.

According to NSMO, despite electricity demand exceeding 1 billion kWh, the national power system was operated safely and stably. Power sources were dispatched optimally, ensuring continuous supply and meeting the sharp increase in demand amid widespread heat.

However, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned that the heatwave is expected to persist across many regions in the coming days. Areas from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang may experience severe to extremely severe heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some locations.

The prolonged heat is forecast to continue for several days, further driving up electricity demand and posing risks of localized overloads in the power system.

In response to the ongoing heatwave and rising electricity consumption, and in line with Directive No. 10 issued on March 30 by the Prime Minister on enhancing electricity savings and promoting rooftop solar development, NSMO has urged the public to use energy efficiently and economically.

This recommendation is particularly critical during the peak of the 2026 dry season, especially on the hottest days ahead.

According to NSMO, on March 31, despite less intense heat than previously forecast, the national power system still recorded electricity consumption exceeding 1 billion kWh for the first time in 2026.

Tam An