Vietnam’s electricity consumption has continued to exceed 1 billion kWh per day amid an intense heatwave, forcing the National System and Market Operator (NSMO) to mobilize costly LNG and oil-fired power sources to ensure sufficient supply for the national grid while conserving water reserves at hydropower plants.

NSMO has repeatedly issued updates on the operation of the power system during the ongoing extreme heat conditions.

On May 24, the national grid’s peak capacity reached 48,729 MW at 9:50 p.m., while total electricity consumption hit 1.044 billion kWh.

According to NSMO, electricity demand on Sundays is normally only around 80-85% of a regular working day.

However, on Sunday, May 24, peak demand in northern Vietnam climbed to 26,595 MW at 10:15 p.m., surpassing levels recorded on many previous working days and setting a new record for 2026, 176 MW higher than the previous peak recorded on May 15.

To meet surging electricity demand, the system heavily relied on coal-fired thermal power, which generated more than 564 million kWh, while hydropower contributed over 273 million kWh. Oil-fired thermal plants produced 0.3 million kWh, gas turbines generated 59.1 million kWh and biomass power supplied 4.5 million kWh.

Wind power contributed 31.6 million kWh, while solar power generated 52.6 million kWh. Rooftop solar systems were estimated to have added another 44.2 million kWh, alongside 14.3 million kWh from other sources.

National electricity demand remained above the 1 billion kWh threshold during the heatwave.

Notably, by 5 p.m. on May 25, peak nationwide demand during the afternoon reached 55,196 MW at 1:40 p.m. Northern Vietnam again set a new record at 27,955 MW, up 5.8% compared to May 15. Peak demand in central and southern Vietnam stood at 5,380 MW and 22,109 MW respectively.

By 10 p.m., national and northern grid demand were forecast to reach 53,600 MW and 29,300 MW respectively.

NSMO said the severe heatwave is causing electricity demand in northern Vietnam to rise rapidly. Peak demand in the region is expected to exceed 29,000 MW during evening hours, roughly 1,300 MW - equivalent to 4.8% - higher than levels recorded earlier in the afternoon.

The figure would mark a new annual record for 2026, surpassing northern Vietnam’s previous operational peak of 28,187 MW recorded on August 4, 2025.

According to forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, widespread heat will continue across northern and central Vietnam on May 26, with temperatures ranging between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius and exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Ninh Binh province and the Red River Delta are expected to record temperatures between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius, with the heatwave likely to continue through May 27 and 28.

Peak demand for the national and northern power systems at 10 p.m. on May 26 could reach 55,519 MW and 30,134 MW respectively - nearly 7,000 MW higher than before the heatwave began. National electricity consumption is forecast to surge to 1.188 billion kWh.

NSMO said it will continue operating LNG-fired power plants with combined capacity exceeding 3,000 MW, including Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4, each generating 812 MW, alongside several units at Phu My.

The operator will also maintain LNG-fueled generating units with total capacity of 3,034 MW, including GT1 Nhon Trach 3 (812 MW), GT2 Nhon Trach 4 (812 MW), GT1 and GT2 Phu My 22 (2x345 MW), and GT1 and GT2 Phu My 3 (2x360 MW).

At the same time, oil-fired units including S1 and S2 at O Mon I, each with capacity of 330 MW, will remain operational.

Additional oil-fired generators with total capacity of 376 MW, including units at Thu Duc and Can Tho, will be mobilized depending on demand conditions.

According to NSMO, the strategy of deploying LNG and oil-fired power sources serves a dual purpose: ensuring sufficient electricity supply during peak demand periods while conserving water reserves at hydropower reservoirs nationwide, particularly in central Vietnam, to optimize dry-season operations.

Amid mounting summer demand pressure, NSMO has also proposed adjusting peak, off-peak and normal electricity pricing hours starting from June 2026 to encourage households and businesses to shift electricity usage away from the high-demand period between 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Tam An