Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC) said changing weather patterns and increased consumption during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday were likely to drive higher power usage.
The utility cited three main reasons. A severe cold spell early in the month led to prolonged use of heating appliances. Mid-February coincided with Tet, when family gatherings and festive activities pushed electricity consumption above normal levels. Toward the end of the month, humid conditions prompted households to run dehumidifiers and air conditioners in dry mode for extended periods.
EVNNPC said the continuous operation of such appliances significantly increased power consumption compared with previous months.
In Ha Tinh Province, for example, average household electricity consumption during the nine-day Tet holiday reached 4.48 million kWh, up 32.25 per cent from the preceding week.
Mai Thanh Tung, head of the dispatch department at Ha Tinh Power Company, said residential electricity load surged as households simultaneously used air conditioners, water heaters, induction hobs, televisions and decorative lighting.
“Favourable weather also supported recreational activities and spring gatherings, contributing to higher residential demand and increased total provincial electricity output compared with the pre-Tet period,” he said.
Remote Control Centre, Dispatch Department, Thai Nguyen Power Company (Photo: EVNNPC).
To help manage costs, the utility advised households to switch on water heaters only 10-15 minutes before use rather than leaving them running all day, and to avoid using multiple high-capacity appliances at the same time.
Residents were also urged to turn off unnecessary devices and decorative lights before going to bed or leaving home, keep doors closed to reduce humidity, and use dehumidifying modes appropriately instead of operating appliances continuously for long periods.
