Saving electricity is essential for ensuring energy security.

Using electricity efficiently and effectively has become a crucial solution to reduce pressure on the power system, ensure energy security, and lay the foundation for economic growth.

Workers from the Central Vietnam Power Corporation inspect and repair the power system to ensure safe operation and provide electricity to customers.

High pressure on the power system.

On the occasion of the 2026 National Day for Saving and Combating Waste, with the theme "Saving Energy, Prospering the Future," the demand for economical and efficient electricity use continues to be emphasized in the context of Vietnam aiming for high economic growth and its energy system facing many challenges.

The year 2026 holds special significance as it marks the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, initiating the 5-year socio-economic development plan for the period 2026-2030. Alongside this, Conclusion No. 18-KL/TW of the Central Committee sets the goal of striving for double-digit growth.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade , practice in Vietnam shows that when the economy grows by more than 10%, the demand for electricity will increase correspondingly or even higher. Therefore, ensuring a stable electricity supply is considered a crucial condition for serving socio-economic development.

However, the national power system is under significant pressure from the impacts of climate change. In late May 2026, temperatures in many areas across the country remained consistently high. From the beginning of April to the heatwaves in May, especially from May 23rd to 27th, electricity consumption across the entire system increased sharply, continuously setting new peak levels.

According to forecasting models from domestic and international meteorological and hydrological agencies, there is approximately an 80% chance of a "Super El Niño" forming in July. This phenomenon will not only affect typhoons but also influence rainfall, droughts, monsoons, and global temperatures.

The worrying aspect is that rising temperatures will lead to increased electricity demand, while drought conditions could significantly reduce the amount of water flowing into hydroelectric reservoirs – a crucial source of electricity for the national power grid.

In response to the need to ensure energy security, on May 24, 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung signed Decision No. 924/QD-TTg promulgating the Plan for implementing activities in response to the National Day for Saving and Combating Waste in 2026.

With the theme "Saving energy, a prosperous future," the nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness and bring about changes in the actions of each individual, thereby spreading a culture of energy saving throughout society.

The Prime Minister requested that ministries, sectors, and localities proactively organize various activities in response; intensify the dissemination of policies and laws on energy conservation and efficiency; and launch emulation movements and commend collectives and individuals with outstanding initiatives.

Electricity sector officials supervise the substation.

Synchronize energy-saving solutions

To effectively implement the Government's directives, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is deploying many synchronized solutions to improve electricity efficiency nationwide.

According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, in addition to the solutions outlined in Directive No. 09/CT-TTg, an important task that needs to be further promoted is shifting electricity usage times to reduce pressure during peak hours.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, this is not only a technical solution but also a requirement for innovation in management. State agencies and large electricity consumers need to proactively research and adjust operating hours to suit the actual load situation.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has instructed its units to coordinate with local authorities and work with production and business establishments to develop reasonable operational plans to limit electricity consumption during peak hours. At the same time, the electricity sector continues to review the transmission and distribution grid system, promptly addressing potential fault points to ensure stable operation during the hot season.

At the strategic level, Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung directed the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion to comprehensively implement the National Program on energy saving and efficiency across all sectors, including communication efforts to raise public awareness.

The Minister requested the urgent development of a set of indicators to evaluate the results of electricity saving efforts based on Directive No. 10/CT-TTg, the Law on Economical and Efficient Energy Use, and the National Program for the period 2019-2030. Assigning specific targets and responsibilities to each level and unit will help ensure that electricity saving efforts are implemented effectively, can be monitored and evaluated, and can be replicated nationwide.

He emphasized that in the context of rapidly increasing electricity demand, technical solutions will be difficult to implement effectively without the participation of citizens and businesses. Therefore, saving electricity and regulating demand, especially during peak hours from 6 PM to 11 PM, continues to be the most direct and effective solution currently available.

Electricity companies are required to strengthen cooperation with large electricity consumers to implement voluntary load adjustment programs, while also recommending that people limit the simultaneous use of multiple high-power electrical appliances during peak hours. Alongside this, the development of rooftop solar power continues to be identified as a direction that needs to be promoted.

In response to the policies of the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the business community is increasingly participating in the demand response (DR) program implemented by Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN).

By May 2026, the program had recorded positive results. In 18 northern provinces and cities, including Hanoi, more than 5,900 customers participated in the non-commercial DR program with a potential adjustment of over 1,450 MW.

In 7 provinces and cities in the central region, 1,925 customers signed agreements to participate, with a potential load adjustment of approximately 255.62 MW. Meanwhile, in 9 provinces and cities in the southern region, including Ho Chi Minh City, over 9,000 customers participated, with a maximum load adjustment capacity of approximately 765 MW.

In the coming period, power corporations will continue to expand the program to customer groups in the fields of public lighting, administration, commerce, services, and industrial production.

In the context of rising power generation investment costs and geopolitical fluctuations that could affect the raw material supply chain, electricity load adjustment is becoming a strategically important management solution.

Participating in the Demand Response (DR) program not only contributes to ensuring national energy security but also brings many benefits to businesses, such as priority in ensuring voltage quality, shortened incident response times, and free consultation on energy audits and production optimization.

The message "Save energy, prosper the future" is therefore not only the theme of a day of action but also a long-term direction. Every kWh of electricity saved, every business proactively adjusting its load, and every household using electricity rationally during peak hours all contribute to strengthening energy security and creating more resources for the country's development.

TT (compiled)

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/tiet-kiem-dien-de-bao-dam-an-ninh-nang-luong-544257.html