Electricity usage is forecasted to hit record highs from April to June in the southern region.
In early April, temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City soared, reaching 35-37 degrees Celsius on several days. The city recorded an average maximum temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius during the first ten days of April, up 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to the last ten days of March.
Electricity usage hits record highs
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC), the city's average daily electricity consumption reached 88.25 million kWh during the first ten days of April. This marks an increase of more than 1.9 million kWh per day, or 2.21%, compared to the last ten days of March. On April 10, electricity use peaked at 95.58 million kWh, the highest daily figure recorded so far this year.
EVNHCMC forecasts that electricity consumption in Ho Chi Minh City could climb to 100.80 million kWh per day during April, the peak of the dry season. This represents a 34.83 percent rise compared to February and a 15.80 percent increase from March. The prolonged heatwave has driven air conditioning usage to its highest levels of the year.
While May is typically the hottest month in southern Vietnam, this year's rainfall forecast, 5-15 percent above the historical average, may help temper daily electricity demand. However, power consumption is still expected to remain high, with fluctuations depending on daily rainfall and actual temperatures.
"Ambient temperature has a major impact on electricity demand, especially during the hot season," a representative from EVNHCMC stated. "We anticipate electricity usage will reach its highest levels by late April and throughout May."
Meanwhile, the Southern Power Corporation reported total electricity intake for the first quarter of 2025 at 19.1 billion kWh, an increase of 0.88 percent year-on-year. Provinces with the highest growth in electricity usage include Long An (up 6.87 percent), Vinh Long (up 6.12 percent), and Binh Phuoc (up 5.10 percent).
