Energy-strapped north to face 10% shortage next year

By Staff reporters September 11, 2023 | 05:44 pm PT

Vietnam Electricity staff are seen at work in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Northern Vietnam could see an electricity shortage of up to 1,770 megawatts in the dry season next year, which is equivalent to 10% of the region's total power demand.

A shortage of between 420 and 1,770 MW is expected during June and July next year if hydropower reservoirs continue to record low water levels, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a report to the government.

The figures are based its calculations that demand for electricity will rise by nearly 9% next year.

Analysts have said earlier that northern Vietnam will suffer from power shortages in upcoming years due to the lack of new power plants while demand is set to rise around 10% annually.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, a power expert at the Vietnam Energy Association, said that coal-fired power plants can only meet one-third of demand from now until 2030.

"There is a strong probability of power shortages as many electricity projects are delayed and will not be able to operate until after 2024-2025."

Northern Vietnam is currently home to six major power projects with a potential total capacity of 4,200 megawatts that are currently delayed or have been suspended.

In the first eight months, total power production nationwide reached 186.3 billion kilowatt-hours, up 2.7% year-on-year.

Thermal power accounted for 47.3% of total supply and hydropower 26%.