Workers of EVN Hà Nội check the transformer station. Việt Nam’s daily electricity consumption has exceeded 1 billion kWh for the first time this year. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Luỹ

HÀ NỘI — Daily electricity consumption has exceeded 1 billion kWh for the first time this year, despite the country not yet entering its peak hot season, highlighting rapidly rising energy demand for the country's double-digit growth target.

Statistics from the National Power System and Market Operation Company Limited (NSMO) showed that on March 31, total electricity consumption reached 1.005 billion kWh, an unprecedented level for this time of year.

In 2025, the 1 billion kWh threshold was typically surpassed only during peak heat periods in mid-May.

The northern region recorded the highest consumption at 464 million kWh, an increase of nearly 12 per cent.

Coal-fired power remained the dominant source, accounting for 55 per cent of total generation, followed by hydropower at 21.7 per cent with the remainder coming from gas-fired plants and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

NSMO said the national power system was operated safely and stably, with generation sources optimally dispatched to meet rising demand as the country enters the dry season.

During peak months, capacity is forecast to rise by more than 12 per cent, while output could grow by 10–12 per cent, raising the possibility of new consumption records compared with 2025, NSMO said, adding that the early surge underscores  rising power demand as Việt Nam is aiming for double-digit growth in the next five-year period.

NSMO urged stronger efforts to promote energy-saving and more efficient electricity use, particularly as the 2026 dry season peak is expected from late April through August.

A heatwave is forecast to occur from April 7 to 14 when temperatures are expected to range between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 39 degrees.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting also warned of a complex climate this year. The La Nina phenomenon is expected to persist through March before transitioning to neutral conditions, with a possible shift to El Nino by mid-year at moderate to high intensity.

Vietnam Electricity said it has instructed its subsidiaries to proactively secure coal and gas supplies, ensuring no fuel shortages for power generation under any circumstances.

A rooftop solar system. Expanding rooftop solar is considered a solution to secure energy supply. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

As the global energy market continues to face uncertainties that could directly affect national energy security, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on March 30 issued a directive calling for stricter electricity-saving measures and accelerated development of self-produced, self-consumed rooftop solar power to secure energy supply.

The directive sets a target to save at least 3 per cent of total national electricity consumption in 2026, and to achieve a minimum 10 per cent reduction in electricity use during peak hot months from April to July.

The directive underlined the need to expand rooftop solar for self-use across public offices, production and service facilities, and households, and the installation of integrated battery energy storage systems (BESS), with the aim of realising the goal for around 10 per cent of public offices and 10 per cent of households nationwide to adopt rooftop solar systems annually, or for total installed capacity to reach 20 per cent of planned rooftop solar capacity in each locality during the 2026-30 period.

Early this year, the Prime Minister signed Directive No. 01/CT-TTg outlining measures to ensure sufficient electricity supply for production, business activities and daily life during peak periods in 2026 and the 2027-30 period, focusing on accelerating the development of major power generation and grid projects. — VNS