Nghe An reaches peak electricity consumption.

The prolonged and intense heatwave at the end of May caused electricity demand in Nghe An province to repeatedly reach new peaks, putting significant pressure on the power grid system.

In response to extreme weather conditions, Nghe An Power Company (PC Nghe An) has mobilized its workforce to the maximum extent, maintaining a 24/7 power grid to ensure safe and stable operation, serving the daily lives and production needs of people and businesses. Simultaneously, the joint efforts and cooperation of businesses and households through effective electricity saving solutions are becoming a crucial "key" to reducing the load on the system and ensuring energy security in the area.

Power grid operational pressure in the face of extreme weather.

Maintenance and repair of the electrical system at the medium-voltage power distribution station in Trung Loc commune, Nghe An province. Photo: Vu Sinh/TTXVN.

In recent days, the prolonged intense heat, coupled with the hot, dry southwest winds (Lao winds), has kept temperatures consistently very high. This extreme weather has led to a sharp increase in electricity demand for cooling, daily life, and production, especially during peak hours at noon and in the evening.

According to data from the Dispatching Department of Nghe An Power Company, on May 27, 2026, the total commercial electricity output of the company (A/day) reached a record high of 25.2 million kWh. Along with that, the peak power (Pmax) reached 1,270 MW, continuously setting records and surpassing the peak of 2025. The entire provincial power grid system, especially in urban centers, densely populated residential areas, and industrial production loads, had to operate at full capacity continuously.

Faced with immense pressure to supply electricity, the staff and workers of Nghe An Power Company proactively responded to calls 24/7 with the highest sense of responsibility. At the scene, the subordinate power companies intensified inspections day and night of high-load power lines and substations (operating at full load). Power workers promptly addressed overheating contact points, balanced phases, redistributed transformer loads, cleaned insulation, and thoroughly reviewed potential localized overload risks.

Under the scorching sun, the sight of sweat-drenched orange shirts, tirelessly working on the power grid, through lunchtime and into the night to quickly resolve problems for customers, has become familiar. Sharing about the pressure of the job, Mr. Tran Vinh Phong – Head of the Power Grid Operation and Management Team, Vinh Power Company, said that during extreme heat waves, the technical team has to be constantly on duty in the field under high temperatures. However, with the highest goal of ensuring a stable power supply for people's lives, especially in key areas such as hospitals and schools, the entire team always strives to overcome difficulties to complete their tasks.

According to Le Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of Nghe An Power Company, the company has instructed its units to prepare sufficient spare parts and equipment, and strengthen on-call personnel to minimize incidents affecting customers. However, Mr. Thanh also emphasized: "In the context of still complex weather patterns, the efforts of the power sector are not enough. The efficient and economical use of electricity by customers plays a particularly important role in reducing pressure on the national power system and the local power grid."

Businesses and citizens are united in saving electricity.

Maintenance and repair work on the power system using Hotline technology (live-line electrical repair technology) ensures a continuous power supply for the daily lives and production of customers in Trung Loc commune, Nghe An province. Photo: Vu Sinh/TTXVN

To cope with the peak hot season from May to August, in addition to technical solutions from the electricity sector, a shift in the awareness and actions of electricity customers is a decisive factor. Peak hours are defined as from 12 PM to 3 PM and from 8 PM to 11 PM daily. In Nghe An province, many large manufacturing businesses and exemplary households have proactively implemented a series of innovative solutions, yielding practical results.

In Vinh Loc ward, Danh Du Aluminum and Glass Co., Ltd., specializing in the production of corrugated iron and aluminum profiles, has also implemented a solution to shift the operation schedule of its high-capacity iron plating heating furnaces and aluminum extrusion machines to off-peak hours (10 PM - 6 AM). During peak hours, only packaging, glass cutting, and loading/unloading of goods will be conducted.

Mr. Hoang Minh Du, Director of the company, said: "The sheet metal and aluminum-glass industry consumes a lot of electricity. When the extrusion press or plating furnace starts up, the current needs to be stable. If running during peak hours, the risk of voltage drops causing defects and ruining entire batches of goods is very high. Therefore, we have proactively adjusted our production management mindset. Instead of running three shifts as before, we now focus our efforts on 'power-hungry machines' running through the night from 10 PM to 6 AM the next morning. During peak hours, the factory mainly performs static tasks such as quality control, glass cutting, or logistics loading and unloading."

Not only manufacturing businesses, but also service and trade enterprises in the province are strictly implementing electricity saving measures. In supermarkets and shopping malls, air conditioning systems are always set at a stable level of 26 degrees Celsius or higher, flexibly combined with air circulation fans to ensure coolness and save energy.

The "Electricity Saving Household" movement is also spreading strongly in households. Ms. Luu Thanh Lich's family in Vinh Hung ward is one of the leading households in using electricity intelligently. Ms. Lich shared: “My family has formed the habit of not turning on high-power appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, and ovens simultaneously between 12 PM and 3 PM and between 8 PM and 11 PM. When buying new appliances, I always choose those with a 5-star energy efficiency rating. Especially for air conditioners, my family adheres to the principle of setting them to 26°C or higher and using a standing fan alongside them. This method helps to cool the room evenly and comfortably, avoiding thermal shock, and significantly reduces the electricity bill at the end of the month.”

Besides changing usage behavior, a sustainable solution being encouraged by Nghe An Power Company is investing in self-generating, self-consuming rooftop solar power systems combined with battery storage (BESS). This is considered an optimal model that helps households, agencies, and businesses proactively secure their electricity supply day and night, reduce costs, and significantly alleviate load pressure on the power system during the hottest periods of the year.

Forecasts indicate that in the coming period, there will still be many widespread extreme heatwaves. Nghe An Power Company affirms that it will continue to strive to overcome difficulties and maintain the grid and substations to ensure a continuous power supply. However, to get through a safe summer, the support, understanding, and sharing of the entire community through even the smallest actions to save electricity starting today are indispensable.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/nghe-an-lap-dinh-tieu-thu-dien-20260528123105363.htm