Electricity consumption drops to record low during Tet, some days down 50%

Electricity supply during the Lunar New Year is guaranteed as consumption has dropped to a record low compared to recent years.

Electricity consumption during Tet holiday drops sharply - Photo: EVN

According to information from Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), during the Lunar New Year holiday of At Ty 2025, EVN coordinated with the National Electricity System and Market Operation Company (NSMO) to ensure safe and stable electricity supply to serve people across the country to welcome the spring of At Ty 2025.

Sharp discount on the first day of Tet

According to data from NSMO, the highest daily power consumption of the entire national power system during the Tet holiday was only about 29,007 MW. Thus, the average daily power consumption during the Tet holiday was about 528.1 million kWh/day.

Statistics show that electricity consumption nationwide during the 2025 Lunar New Year decreased by 33.4% compared to normal days of the week before Tet. This is a larger decrease than in previous years, such as the 2024 Lunar New Year decreased by 31.7%, 2023 decreased by 30.3%...

However, the average daily electricity consumption during the Lunar New Year 2025 is still 7.8% higher than the same period during the Lunar New Year 2024. The decrease in consumption reflects the NSMO's previous forecast, when the national electricity demand during the Lunar New Year has decreased significantly compared to normal days.

Actual statistics show that during the Tet holiday, the national load capacity during off-peak hours was only 12,275 MW at night (January 29, the first day of Tet), a decrease of about 50% compared to normal days.

With low electricity consumption during the Tet holiday, many types of power sources are forced to reduce generation to match the load demand. Therefore, to ensure safe and stable operation of the power system, NSMO is required to maintain a number of traditional power plants (such as coal-fired thermal power, gas turbines, hydropower, etc.).

These power sources are maintained at a minimum level to ensure system inertia and stability, as well as sufficient backup capacity in the event of power failures or unusual fluctuations in actual operations.

Cut down on multiple power sources

With electricity consumption demand falling so low, many traditional sources have had to stop or reduce generation, but total generation capacity still exceeds consumption demand, forcing the power system control agency to adjust and reduce the mobilized capacity from all types of power sources.

Including renewable energy sources (such as small hydropower, solar power, wind power) to ensure safe operation of the national power system. System dispatching requirements are strictly followed by power source and grid units, ensuring safe operation of the national power system, without causing incidents and affecting power supply.

However, EVN said that there were a few incidents on the distribution grid due to people violating the grid safety corridor (such as flying kites, balloons, shooting glitter strings...) on the lines, which were promptly handled by the on-duty forces, restoring power supply as soon as possible.

During the recent Tet holiday, there were no electrical work accidents or electrical fires. In addition, all units in EVN have implemented disease prevention measures in accordance with the instructions of the authorities.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tieu-thu-dien-giam-ky-luc-dip-tet-co-ngay-toi-50-20250203103443923.htm