Mechanical and construction manufacturing facilities are worried about rising electricity prices.

A series of additional costs

Mr. Nguyen Van Huy (Thuy Chau Ward, Huong Thuy Town) shared that his family of five uses an average of over 300 kWh of electricity per month. Last April, his family used nearly 400 kWh, with a total bill of over 700,000 VND. With this monthly electricity consumption, and the 4.8% increase in retail electricity prices effective from May 10th, his family will face additional costs for household electricity in the future.

"While the additional payment isn't a huge amount in my opinion, it does add pressure to my already modest income as a laborer," Huy said.

Mr. Huynh Quoc Tuan, Director of Thua Thien Hue Energy Pellet Joint Stock Company, said that the company's industry uses many machines for rolling and pressing wood, which consumes a lot of electricity. Therefore, the company's average monthly electricity consumption is between 6,000 and 6,300 kWh, costing over 1 billion VND. With the increase in retail electricity prices for businesses starting May 10th, preliminary calculations show the company will pay nearly 50 million VND more per month. "At a time when businesses are facing pressure from the market and tariff policies, this electricity price increase will cause us many difficulties in production and business," Mr. Tuan said.

Electricity prices were adjusted upwards from May 10th.

The director of a construction materials manufacturing company operating in Thuy Phuong Industrial Cluster, Huong Thuy Town, stated that electricity costs account for 15-20% of product costs. Therefore, upon hearing about the electricity price increase, businesses in the mechanical and construction industries are concerned about the potential impact on product prices. With current profit margins in the mechanical and construction sectors being quite thin, only around 5-10%, the increase in electricity prices could lead to losses for many businesses if they don't have a plan to manage their operations effectively.

Enhance electricity saving measures.

At a press conference on electricity supply management held on the afternoon of May 9th, representatives of the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) stated that EVN always has a plan to ensure a stable electricity supply to serve socio -economic development and the daily lives of the people. EVN has been implementing the national electricity supply and system operation plan for 2025. This includes an expected growth rate of approximately 12.2% in commercial electricity sales this year, with total system electricity production in 2025 increasing by about 33.6 billion kWh compared to 2024.

Regarding the power source structure in 2025, low-cost hydropower will only supply about 25% of the total system output; the remaining 75% of the system's output will be supplied from high-cost sources such as coal-fired, gas-fired, oil-fired thermal power plants, and renewable energy sources. For the additional electricity output of the system, it will essentially have to be mobilized from high-cost sources, such as oil-fired thermal power plants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) turbine thermal power plants, and imported coal-fired thermal power plants…

Mr. Vo Quang Lam, Deputy General Director of EVN, stated that, based on the operational plan, EVN has regularly reviewed, calculated, and reported to competent authorities to adjust electricity prices in accordance with the Electricity Law and Decree 72 on electricity price adjustments. The adjustments have carefully considered input costs, variable costs, and the affordability of people and businesses to find a balance between these requirements, therefore, this 4.8% increase in electricity prices is relatively appropriate.

According to the leaders of Hue Power Company (PC Hue), in the context of rising electricity generation costs in recent years, the unit has resolutely implemented cost reduction and savings measures annually to reduce recurring expenses and focus on upgrading, renovating, and major repairs to optimize the power system and electricity market, ensuring safe and continuous electricity supply in the area.

When electricity prices rise, to reduce economic pressure, customers need to use energy-saving appliances; turn off electrical devices when not in use; maximize the use of natural light; regularly maintain and replace equipment to minimize energy loss; and avoid using high-power electrical appliances during peak hours and in unnecessary locations. For businesses and production facilities, optimizing the electrical system is crucial; regular maintenance of machinery and electrical equipment is necessary; advanced energy-saving solutions are implemented; and employees are encouraged to raise awareness of efficient electricity use and conservation.

Regarding this electricity price adjustment, poor households and households receiving social welfare benefits will continue to receive support as stipulated in Decision No. 28/2014/QD-TTg dated April 7, 2014, of the Prime Minister . Specifically, poor households will receive monthly support equivalent to 30 kWh/household/month of electricity consumption; households receiving social welfare benefits with electricity consumption not exceeding 50 kWh/month will receive monthly support equivalent to 30 kWh/household/month of electricity consumption.


Text and photos: Minh Van

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/ap-luc-khi-gia-dien-tang-153601.html