Keep the power flowing for growth.

Electricity demand in Thai Nguyen province has increased rapidly in recent years, along with the development of industry, services, and urbanization. This strong increase in commercial electricity consumption clearly reflects the dynamism of the economy and simultaneously highlights the urgent need to improve infrastructure capacity to ensure stable, safe, and sustainable electricity supply in the medium and long term.

The sharp increase in commercial electricity production in the province clearly reflects the dynamism of the economy , while also highlighting the urgent need to improve infrastructure capacity and ensure a stable and safe electricity supply. ( In the photo: Application of electricity metering devices to monitor load and limit the risk of overload at substations.)

Demand is increasing rapidly, putting pressure on infrastructure.

In 2025, commercial electricity consumption in Thai Nguyen province is projected to reach 7.13 billion kWh, with a peak capacity of approximately 1,250 MW. This increase reflects positive economic development, particularly in the industrial and service sectors, but also places significant pressure on the existing power system.

Currently, the province has two thermal power plants: Cao Ngan (115MW) and An Khanh I (120MW), along with seven small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 26.5MW. In addition, Thai Nguyen receives electricity from the national grid through 500kV and 220kV substations such as Thai Nguyen, Phu Binh, Luu Xa, Bac Kan , and Phu Binh 2, with a total capacity of over 3,125MVA for the 220kV substations, basically meeting the needs of the entire province.

However, operational reality shows that the power grid system is not truly uniform. Some 220kV lines, such as Soc Son - Hiep Hoa, Bac Kan - Thai Nguyen, and Thai Nguyen - Luu Xa, operate at levels ranging from 49% to 94% of their load, reflecting an unreasonable load distribution between areas. Greater pressure is concentrated on the 110kV grid, especially in the city center and industrial zones. Nearly 50% of 110kV transformers operate at over 85% capacity, with many lines frequently exceeding their permissible limits.

The Phu Binh 2 220kV substation and the Phu Binh 2 220kV Thai Nguyen - Bac Giang branch line (with a capacity of 500MVA) meet the electricity needs of industrial zones in the southern part of Thai Nguyen province.

The province currently has 40 110kV power lines with a total length of over 600km, supplying electricity to 22 substations with a total capacity of 2,434MVA. Some key lines such as Thai Nguyen - Thinh Dan and Luu Xa - Song Cong 2 operate near maximum capacity, posing a risk of disruption when the load increases. The medium-voltage grid is over 5,200km long with nearly 5,800 transformers, with a total installed capacity of over 2.44 million kVA, serving residential areas, industrial zones, and large customers. The low-voltage grid is over 11,000km long, managed by the electricity sector, and basically meets the needs of households.

The load imbalance is evident in wards such as Phan Dinh Phung, Pho Yen, Van Xuan, and Linh Son, where the power grid is approaching overload, especially during peak seasons. This pressure is even more pronounced considering that electricity for industrial production accounted for 78.3% of total electricity consumption in 2024, while electricity for household use only accounted for 17.7%.

Upgrade simultaneously to ensure power supply.

According to the review, during the period 2019-2025, commercial electricity output in the province increased by an average of 6.06% per year. Despite periods of slow growth due to the impact of the pandemic and economic fluctuations, the overall trend remained stable and showed a clear recovery in 2023-2024, with increases of 11.04% and 5.97% respectively, mainly thanks to the stable operations of FDI enterprises.

This reality indicates that electricity demand in the province will continue to increase in the coming years, leading to greater pressure on the existing power grid infrastructure if timely investment and regulation solutions are not implemented.

The 500kV, 220kV, and 110kV power line systems in the province have been adjusted to increase capacity and add many new lines, ensuring efficient power transmission.

Faced with rapidly increasing electricity demand, especially from industrial zones and FDI enterprises, Thai Nguyen province is implementing a comprehensive set of solutions to improve electricity supply capacity. The focus is on increasing the capacity of substations, expanding the 110kV, medium-voltage, and low-voltage power grids, and completing loop circuits to ensure continuous power supply and minimize the risk of interruptions.

Along with infrastructure investment, the province focuses on combining the efficient exploitation of small hydropower plants with the development of renewable energy, optimizing system operation and reducing the load on key substations. Strengthening connections with the national power grid through 220kV and 500kV lines linking with Hanoi and neighboring provinces helps Thai Nguyen proactively secure its power supply when demand increases.

Mr. Pham Van Tho, Director of the Thai Nguyen Department of Industry and Trade, said: "Developing electricity infrastructure must be one step ahead, linked to the overall planning and long-term growth requirements, enhancing the province's investment attractiveness. Therefore, the Department of Industry and Trade has been accelerating the appraisal of electricity projects, contributing to overcoming difficulties and promoting the progress of energy projects in the area."

Within the framework of the Thai Nguyen Province Investment Promotion Conference 2026, Thai Nguyen Power Company participated in exhibiting and introducing typical scientific and technological products and solutions of the power industry.

In 2025, the province assessed 79 energy projects and issued 16 electricity operation licenses; it also promulgated Decision No. 27/2025/QD-UBND on electricity safety management, effective from January 1, 2026, creating a unified legal framework for electricity operations.

In addition, Thai Nguyen has actively attracted and promoted investment in the energy sector. Specifically, the province has implemented 28 investment projects to build power sources and grids with a total investment of over 8,661 billion VND, including 21 power transmission grid projects from 110kV to 500kV and 7 hydropower projects. This has created momentum to promote socio-economic development in the province...

Adjusting planning to "welcome" long-term growth.

To ensure synchronized and sustainable development, Thai Nguyen province is focusing on adjusting its power grid planning with a vision to 2050. The focus of the plan is to supplement and upgrade power sources, substations, and transmission lines to meet the increasing demand for electricity, ensure stable power supply for industrial and service development, and improve the quality of life for the people.

The Remote Control Center (Thai Nguyen Power Company) plays a crucial role in improving the reliability of electricity supply in the province.

Regarding power sources, the province plans to implement many large-scale renewable energy projects. These include onshore wind power with a total capacity of approximately 766MW, distributed across the areas of Vo Nhai, Cho Moi, Ngan Son, Huong Ne, Yen Binh, and Thuong Quan. Concentrated solar power will reach a capacity of approximately 420MW at Nui Coc Lake, Cho Moi, Yen Trach, and An Khanh.

In addition, biomass power projects with a capacity of 91MW and waste-to-energy projects with a capacity of 20MW have also been included in the plan. Many small hydropower projects with a total capacity of 44.49MW continue to be updated, while projects with low potential or a high risk of flooding are eliminated.

The substation system is being comprehensively expanded and upgraded. Accordingly, the province is adding 500kV substations, increasing the capacity of many 220kV substations, and expanding the 110kV substation network to enhance the connection of new power sources and meet the electricity needs of industrial zones and residential areas. Simultaneously, the 500kV, 220kV, and 110kV transmission line systems are being adjusted to increase capacity and add new lines, ensuring safe and efficient power transmission from generation to consumption areas.

Thai Nguyen Power Company is investing in replacing and upgrading the capacity of transformer substations to ensure a stable and safe power supply.

Production realities demonstrate an increasingly clear need for a stable power supply. Mr. Hoang Van Kha, Deputy Director of the Nui Chuong mine branch in Phu Luong commune, stated: "The unit has recently received approval to increase the capacity of its industrial lime production line to 689,000 m³. To meet the requirements for continuous operation, the company has proposed adjusting and upgrading the transformer substation capacity from 110kV to 220kV, thereby ensuring a stable power supply and contributing to the maintenance of efficient and long-term production."

Adjustments to the power plan not only meet the rapidly increasing electricity demand of Thai Nguyen, a key industrial and service center in the North, but also lay the foundation for the development of renewable energy, enhancing the stability and sustainability of the power system in the long term.

Through upgrading technical infrastructure, developing clean energy sources, optimizing operations, and gradually perfecting a comprehensive legal framework, Thai Nguyen aims to ensure a stable power supply to serve socio-economic development, improve the quality of life for its people, and further affirm its position as an industrial center of the Northern region, transforming energy pressure into a driving force for sustainable development.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202601/giu-dong-dien-cho-da-tang-truong-4171be7/