Vietnam PM requests drastic measures to ensure power supply for peak period

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday signed a dispatch on implementing drastic, concerted and effective solutions to ensure the supply of electricity during the peak period of 2025 and the coming years.

The dispatch was sent to the ministers of Industry and Trade, Finance, and Agriculture and Environment; the chairpersons of People's Committees; and the leaders of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Petrovietnam, mining group Vinacomin, and Dong Bac Corporation.

It noted that as ensuring national energy security and sufficient electricity supply is one of the fundamental and decisive factors for the successful implementation of the country’s socio-economic growth targets, the Government and the Prime Minister have proactively and decisively directed relevant tasks and solutions early and from afar to ensure adequate power supply.

The electricity demand in 2025 is forecast to grow by up to 12.2% year-on-year, higher than the 10.1% increase recorded in 2024. The national peak load is expected to reach 54,510 MW, up 11.3% year-on-year.

Therefore, to meet the electricity demand in the peak months of 2025 (May, June, and July) and in the coming period, ensuring there is no electricity shortage under any circumstances, the Prime Minister required to the ministers and the above-mentioned groups’ leaders to strictly implement all the resolutions of the Government, and directives and dispatches of the Prime Minister, especially Directive No. 01/CT-TTg dated January 3, 2025, and the approved 2025 electricity supply and national grid operation plan.

They must strengthen state management, and enhance inspections, and supervision over the management of electricity works under their responsibility to ensure adequate electricity supply.

The PM requested the Minister of Industry and Trade to urgently organize the implementation of the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII and promptly issue a plan for executing the master plan in order to carry out the objectives and tasks outlined in the plan, with completion before May 10.

The minister is responsible to the Government and the Prime Minister for ensuring an adequate electricity supply to serve production, business activities, and the daily life of the people.

Attention must be paid to strengthening inspections and supervision over the implementation of power projects to ensure the best preparation for power generation during peak months.

For hydroelectric plants, it is necessary to ensure maximum water storage according to the inter-reservoir operation process, in line with meteorological and hydrological forecasts, to guarantee backup power and the ability to generate electricity at full capacity during peak months.

For coal-fired thermal power plants, it is essential to proactively secure coal supply to ensure adequate fuel for operations, conduct proactive maintenance and repairs of machinery, have spare parts and equipment available to ensure optimal operation and maximum capacity, and minimise failures during peak periods.

The PM highlighted the need to ensure a steady supply of gas to meet operational needs for gas-fired thermal power plants, and enhance the ability to store and accumulate electricity to improve efficiency and electricity supply capacity for wind and solar power plants.

Regarding power source projects, the Minister of Industry and Trade was asked to direct the acceleration of important national and key projects. Specifically, the Nhon Trach 3 Thermal Power Plant was asked to be put into operation by June and the Nhon Trach 4 Thermal Power Plant by August.

The Government leader requested the chairpersons of the People's Committees to direct local authorities to closely coordinate with ministries, sectors, EVN, and investors of hydropower plants as well as wind and solar power centers to strive for reasonable water use for agricultural production and daily life needs, give maximum priority to reserve water sources, make the most of wind and solar resources for power generation during peak times, and increase solutions for economical and efficient use of water, wind and solar power.