Vietnam's power grid hits record load as extreme heat drives electricity surge

In June 2026, Vietnam Electricity Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC) recorded a historic peak load of 20,482 MW, a 13.3 % increase over the same period in 2025 and the first time the network exceeded 20 GW. Daily generation topped 442 million kWh, with provinces such as Hà Tĩnh, Nghệ An, Bắc Ninh and Thái Nguyên seeing load growth of 15‑24 %. The utility is rolling out battery‑energy‑storage systems (530 MW/1,060 MWh) and expanding rooftop solar to over 710 MW to bolster supply.

EVN has issued consumer guidance to curb bills during the heat wave, urging five key actions: set air‑conditioners at 26‑27 °C (each 1 °C increase saves 1‑3 % electricity), perform regular maintenance (saving 5‑7 %), and choose 5‑star rated units. The advice follows reports of young households in Hanoi facing summer electricity bills nearing VND 1 million as air‑conditioner use spikes.

To meet rising demand, EVNNPT and EVNNPC are accelerating transmission projects in Bac Ninh, planning more than 50 new lines, additional 220‑kV and 500‑kV substations, and upgrades that aim to lift the province’s peak capacity to 4.2 GW by 2030. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to secure reliable power supply across northern Vietnam during prolonged high‑temperature periods.