Hanoi postpones planned power cuts as heat-driven demand hits record

Hanoi power grid heatwave electricity demand air‑conditioner usage energy‑saving guidelines hidden AC power button

Vietnam’s capital electricity provider EVNHANOI announced that all scheduled power outages have been delayed until June 1, 2026, after the city recorded a peak load of 6,290 MW on May 26 – the highest ever and nearly 5 % above the previous year’s record. The surge is linked to prolonged high temperatures that have driven households and businesses to run air‑conditioners intensively.

EVN issued a series of consumer guidelines to curb demand: set indoor temperatures to 26 °C or higher, combine AC use with fans, avoid running multiple high‑power appliances simultaneously, and switch off non‑essential equipment. The utility also provided a five‑step checklist for safely restarting air‑conditioners after a dormant period, including cleaning filters, ensuring clearance around the outdoor unit, checking remote control batteries, testing the unit before extreme heat, and scheduling professional maintenance.

Business operators in Da Nẵng adopted similar energy‑saving measures, such as maximizing natural daylight, reducing decorative lighting during the day, and optimizing AC operation to lower electricity bills while maintaining customer comfort. Separately, a consumer guide from Hungary explained that most modern split‑air‑conditioners feature a hidden power button located beneath the front panel, allowing users to start the unit without a remote control in emergencies.