Power supply pressure
Ms. Nguyen Trang, 24 years old, rents a room on Dich Vong Street, Cau Giay Ward (Hanoi) for 3.2 million VND per month, the electricity bill is calculated at 4,000 VND/kWh. In the August payment period, Ms. Trang used up 254kWh, equivalent to more than 1 million VND in electricity bills.
The electricity bill is equal to 30% of the rental fee, showing unusualness. This is also an issue that people have recently reflected on. In the first days of September, the phenomenon of electricity bills increasing dramatically in many localities, although many areas have experienced floods, even prolonged power outages. The electricity industry has inspected and determined many causes: From leakage of power lines due to storms, damaged equipment, to the reality of prolonged heat causing the demand for electricity for daily use to increase dramatically.
According to data from the Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC), in August 2025, the maximum capacity was recorded at nearly 19,000 MW, only a few weeks higher than the previous record. Commercial electricity output reached 393.09 million kWh in one day - an unprecedented figure.
While the load has increased sharply, the electricity industry has to work hard to overcome the problem caused by storms and floods, ensuring the power grid is safe. Obviously, the problem of electricity supply and demand is increasingly difficult. Electricity demand continues to increase steadily every year along with the speed of economic development, urbanization, and industrialization. Meanwhile, the expansion of power sources, especially renewable energy sources, still faces many difficulties in mechanisms, investment capital, and capacity clearance.
According to EVN, in this situation, saving electricity is not only a promotional slogan, but must become a practical action for each household, each agency, and enterprise. In fact, just small changes can significantly reduce consumption.
If used effectively, Vietnam can save 8-10% of total annual electricity demand, equivalent to billions of kWh. This is a "virtual power source" that contributes significantly to ensuring national energy security.
Mr. Bui Minh Dai - Deputy Director of Tuyen Quang Power Company - said: " Saving electricity not only helps people reduce electricity bills, but also reduces pressure on the electricity industry, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and protects the environment. We need to consider this a civilized habit of consumption".
Resolution 70 - more basis for increasing electricity savings
issued on August 20, 2025, Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW of the Politburo on ensuring national energy security until 2030, with a vision to 2045, emphasized the need to "respect the use of energy economically and efficiently". In which, the issue of electricity saving is given top priority.
For more than a decade, Vietnam has maintained a high economic growth rate, leading to strong growth in energy demand. The average increase in electricity consumption of over 9%/year puts great pressure on traditional sources such as hydropower, coal and gas. Domestic primary energy sources show signs of decline, while imported coal and gas are increasing. With the requirement to both meet development needs and implement commitments at COP26 and COP28 on net emissions of 0 by 2050, the issue of energy saving and efficiency has become one of the most urgent solutions.
In that context, Resolution 70 was born with the goal of saving 8 - 10% of total final energy consumption compared to the normal development scenario, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15 - 35% in the coming period. These are both challenging and demonstrating the Party's strong political determination in ensuring national energy security and towards sustainable development.
The highlight of Resolution 70 is the first provision of mandatory energy saving targets for each industry and locality. The message of the resolution is very clear: Using energy economically and efficiently (especially saving electricity) is not only an act of encouragement but a requirement associated with the responsibility for economic development.
Dr. Ngo Tri Long - an economic expert - said that this pressure is the driving force for businesses to transform. If well utilized, this is not only an opportunity to reduce emissions but also helps Vietnamese enterprises improve their competitiveness and integrate more deeply into global green value chains.
The impact of the resolution does not stop at the level of enterprises or industries, but also spreads to each household and each community. Choosing energy labeling devices, installing rooftop solar power, changing electricity usage habits... will become practical actions, contributing to the common goal. As Dr. Ngo Tri Long emphasized: "Ensuring energy, including saving electricity, is not only a matter of the factory, but also starts from the habits of each household".
shift from incentive mechanisms to legal constraints
Another breakthrough of Resolution 70 is the shift from incentive mechanisms to legal constraints.
In fact, in recent years, energy saving has often encountered difficulties in monitoring and sanctioning. The Resolution has clearly oriented that it is necessary to strengthen accountability, establish strong enough sanctions, link energy saving with investment licensing, credit incentives, and even apply sanctions if they do not meet requirements.
The opportunity that the Resolution brings is huge. Enterprises reduce costs, improve competitiveness, people save on living expenses, the State reduces pressure to invest in new power sources and Vietnam affirms international prestige in implementing climate commitments. However, there are also many challenges, from high technology investment costs, difficulty in accessing green credit capital, to the wasteful energy consumption habits of the people. Therefore, synchronization in policies, financial support, along with communication campaigns to change social behavior are indispensable factors.
The most important highlight is Resolution 70, paving the way for the formation of a transparent and competitive energy market, associated with green transformation. When energy saving becomes mandatory, businesses are forced to be transparent in information, optimize costs and innovate technology.
Along with the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Sauciety (effective from January 1, 2026), Resolution 70 will create pressure to force economic sectors, localities and each household to change their energy-saving and electricity-saving habits. If implemented synchronously, Vietnam will not only achieve the goal of saving 8 - 10% of energy but can also go far, becoming a model of sustainable energy development in the ASEAN region.
Mr. Ha Dang Son - Director of the Center for Energy Research and Green Growth: Big challenges but high feasibility
Electricity mainly depends on habits and time spent at home. Some households use electricity almost 24/7, while some households only consume a lot in the evening after work. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish and have appropriate solutions.
For households with regular home residents, it is necessary to arrange the electricity demand harmoniously during the day. A TV that is turned on continuously for 10 hours a day can consume more than 1.5 kWh of electricity, significantly increasing the month-end bill. Similarly, air conditioners account for 40-60% of household electricity costs. In addition, using a refrigerator, freezer open many times or a substance that is too full also consumes energy. An important solution being encouraged by the Government is to install rooftop solar power. Thanks to that, households can take advantage of self-produced electricity during the day, especially during rush hour, helping to reduce the load on the system and reduce living expenses.
Some cases of unusually high electricity bills may be due to leakage from conductors, poor quality connectors or mold. Therefore, households need to regularly check and maintain equipment and power systems. Even small factors such as insects crawling into the socket can cause stalling, making the equipment less efficient. For households, saving energy is not only about changing usage habits but also need to pay attention to regular maintenance and inspection of the power system, thereby reducing costs, ensuring long-term safety and efficiency.
Mr. Cu Huy Quang, Head of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Green Transformation, Department of Energy Saving and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade: Using energy economically is for the future of our children and grandchildren
I want to send a message to the people that using energy economically and effectively is not only for the benefit of oneself today, but also for the future of our children and a green, sustainable society. Start with small actions: Use high-performance equipment, practice the habit of saving electricity in daily life, to contribute to protecting the living environment.
Mr. Pham Viet Thach, Deputy Head of Environment and Sustainable Development Department, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN): Power saving is not complicated
Power saving is not complicated, sometimes it is just a small act such as turning off the device unnecessarily, or turning off a bulb. If each household saves, the whole community will save a huge amount of electricity, reducing the pressure to invest in building new factories. In particular, on hot days, saving electricity also helps reduce the risk of incidents, ensuring stable power supply.
EVN assigns power corporations and power companies to coordinate with localities and media agencies to sign power saving commitments with customers in many groups: Households, administrative agencies, public facilities, and manufacturing enterprises. Specific solutions include: Replacing high-performance equipment (LED lights, air conditioners, high-performance engines), mobilizing " turn off equipment when not in use", and deploying a power consumption monitoring system.
In addition, EVN has integrated additional digital tools to help customers track and adjust their usage: Detailed information about the situation of electricity use on customers' electronic invoices such as comparing the same period, comparing the average in the region; electricity bill calculation tool, electricity estimate tool used on the websites of EVN and Power Corporation (TCTDL).
As a result, many units and households have reduced their annual electricity consumption by 5-10%, contributing to helping EVN and the whole country achieve the target of saving at least 2% of electricity per year.
Recently, in a report by the Southern Power Corporation, a notable case is a small business household combining accommodation and dining in Tay Ninh. After investing in a solar power system with a capacity of about 5 kWp 3-4 years ago, thanks to the use of solar power combined with other cost-effective measures such as air conditioning set at 28-29°C, reminding students to save, his family reduced the use from 1,000 kWh/month to 400 kWh, saving more than 3 million VND/month.
This is proof that, with appropriate solutions, small business households can completely proactively save energy effectively.
Thu Hien - Tuyet Lan scores
