According to the National System and Market Operator Company Limited, on March 31 the national power system recorded daily consumption surpassing one billion kWh for the first time this year, despite relatively mild weather.
This level had not been recorded before 2024. In 2025, daily consumption only exceeded 1 billion kWh in mid-May during peak heat in the north, indicating a clear rise in demand over recent years.
The system’s peak capacity reached 48,789 MW at 15:55, up 2,512 MW, or 5.4 per cent, compared with the same period in 2025.
Total national output exceeded 1 billion kWh, up 7.4 per cent year on year. Northern Vietnam recorded the highest consumption at 464 million kWh, up nearly 12 per cent, while the central and southern regions reached 95 million kWh and 444 million kWh respectively.
Coal-fired power accounted for the largest share of the energy mix at 55 per cent, followed by hydropower at 21.7 per cent. The remainder came from gas, renewable sources such as wind and solar, and other sources.
The operator said the national power system was run safely and stably throughout the day, with generation optimised to ensure continuous supply amid rising demand as the dry season approaches.
To maintain system safety and optimise costs, the operator recommended energy-saving measures and more efficient electricity use.
The advice is particularly important as the 2026 dry-season peak is expected to last from late April to August, with an imminent heatwave forecast between April 7 and April 14, bringing temperatures of 36 to 38 degrees Celsius, with some areas exceeding 39 degrees Celsius.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said climate conditions this year remain complex, with La Nina persisting until around March, before shifting to neutral conditions and potentially developing into El Nino by mid-year at moderate to high intensity.
