Save electricity - Relieve stress in hot season

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - In the context of increasingly severe climate change, the summer of 2025 is forecast to continue to record many record heat waves. When the outdoor temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, the demand for electricity for cooling equipment skyrockets, putting pressure on the power grid system. In Thanh Hoa, the electricity industry, businesses and people are implementing many electricity-saving solutions, aiming to use electricity effectively, safely and sustainably.

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Electricity industry proactive in the face of soaring consumption pressure

In the summer of 2024, Thanh Hoa recorded a peak electricity consumption of 1,482 MW, an increase of nearly 16% compared to 2023. The highest daily electricity consumption reached 29.51 million kWh. According to forecasts, in 2025, this figure could reach 1,887 MW - a growth rate of 27.4% in just one year. Overloading has been occurring at many points on the grid, including the Ba Thuoc, Nui Mot, Tho Xuan transformer stations, and the lines from the 220kV Ba Che station to Thanh Hoa City area, which regularly operate at 90% to 100% capacity.

In response, the electricity sector has implemented many synchronous solutions. A series of key transmission projects have been invested and put into operation, such as the 220kV Nghi Son Economic Zone station (250MVA), meeting the load demand of key factories. Thanh Hoa Electricity Company (PC Thanh Hoa) has also accelerated the upgrade of 110kV lines, adding 7 new transformer stations, bringing the total installed capacity of the province to 2,184 MVA. In addition, the modernization of the medium and low voltage grid, removing bottlenecks, and reducing power loss has been promoted.

In the operation phase, the electricity sector pays special attention to periodically checking 100% of 110kV stations and lines. The SAIDI, SAIFI, and MAIFI indices reflecting the reliability of power supply have all decreased sharply compared to the previous year. Notably, Thanh Hoa PC has developed 10 operational scenarios to respond to power shortages, helping to flexibly regulate loads and avoid widespread power outages.

Along with infrastructure investment, propaganda and mobilization work for people and businesses to use electricity safely, economically and effectively have also been promoted. Programs such as “Earth Hour”, “Electricity-saving schools”, “Support for exam season” have attracted tens of thousands of students, university students and union members to participate, contributing to forming the habit of saving electricity in the community.

Accompanying from businesses to households

Accounting for nearly 59% of the total electricity consumption demand of the province, the industrial and construction sector is a key factor in the problem of saving electricity. PC Thanh Hoa has proactively worked with large manufacturing enterprises, built a load adjustment program (DR) according to the time frame, encouraged shift extension, arranged reasonable production schedules, and avoided peak hours.

Long Son Cement Company (Bim Son town) is a typical example. According to Mr. Le Tien Dung, Deputy General Director of the company, participating in DR not only helps the company arrange its production process more scientifically, but also motivates technological innovation and reduces electricity costs. Notably, the company has invested in a power plant that utilizes waste heat from the production line, with a capacity of 168 million kWh/year, meeting 26% of the electricity demand for internal operations.

PC Thanh Hoa promotes electricity saving propaganda in visual form.

In Hau Loc district, Manh Dai Phat Investment and Development Company Limited invested in a rooftop solar power system of nearly 1 MWp, prioritizing garment production, saving 80 - 150 million VND/month during the peak summer season. Thai Duong Solar Power Joint Stock Company (Nhu Thanh) applied solar power in a closed livestock farming model, helping to save up to 70% of monthly electricity costs.

Not only large enterprises, the household electricity saving model is also spreading strongly. Many households have installed solar power systems to both prevent the roof from getting hot and save on electricity costs. Along with that, simple and easy-to-implement measures such as: turning off devices when not in use, adjusting the air conditioner to 26 degrees Celsius, using LED lights, avoiding using high-power devices at the same time during peak hours (11am - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm) ... are also being noticed by many families, adjusting their usage behavior.

According to Mr. Hoang Duc Hau, Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa Power Company, the unit is currently arranging forces to be on duty 24/24, fully preparing supplies, spare equipment, means of transport and on-site incident handling forces, ready to respond to all situations. We have also periodically rehearsed hypothetical scenarios of widespread power outages to improve the ability to respond quickly and effectively in troubleshooting. However, with the forecast of severe hot weather continuing to develop complicatedly in the coming time, Thanh Hoa Power Company recommends that agencies, offices, businesses and people in the area continue to thoroughly use electricity safely, economically and effectively. In particular, it is necessary to limit the simultaneous use of high-capacity electrical equipment such as air conditioners, electric stoves, water heaters... during peak hours from 11am - 2pm and 6pm - 10pm. When using air conditioning, customers should note to set it in optimal mode, with a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius or higher.

Faced with the pressure of climate change and unprecedentedly high electricity demand, saving electricity is not only a temporary solution but also a long-term strategy to ensure energy security and economic stability. Close coordination between the electricity sector - enterprises - residential communities is an important foundation to help Thanh Hoa proactively overcome the peak summer season of 2025.

Article and photos: Tung Lam

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tiet-kiem-dien-giai-toa-ap-luc-mua-nang-nong-249927.htm