Vietnam calls for broader energy savings beyond fuel

According to state-owned energy group Vietnam Electricity, under the Ministry of Finance, total power generation and imports in the first two months of 2026 reached more than 48.2 billion kWh, up 7.09 percent year on year.

Commercial electricity consumption climbed even faster, increasing 8.46 percent to 43.5 billion kWh, reflecting growing demand across households and industries.

Despite relatively favorable hydrological conditions early in the year, officials warned that the situation could change.

The gradual weakening of La Niña and a possible transition to El Niño later this year may reduce water availability for hydropower, one of Vietnam’s key energy sources.

La Niña events are associated with strong and persistent monsoon winds, abundant rainfall, and more frequent storms and tropical depressions.

Meanwhile, El Niño years typically bring prolonged heat and drought, delayed rainy seasons, reduced flood, and storm activity.

The National Electricity System and Market Operation Co., Ltd. (NSMO), under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, reported that household electricity demand during the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February increased 10 percent year on year.

If extreme heat persists, residential consumption could spike by as much as 25 percent.

Power plants in the northern region will require maintenance after the dry season, while gas-fired plants in the south may be forced to switch to oil if gas supplies tighten.

To mitigate risks, NSMO proposed maximizing domestic natural gas, prioritizing low-cost imported liquefied natural gas, and accelerating battery energy storage projects.

Vietnam Electricity is also directing hydropower plants to regulate water use, ensuring thermal plants maintain fuel reserves, and speeding up grid upgrades.

Rooftop solar installations in industrial zones and businesses are being encouraged to reduce pressure on the national grid.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched a nationwide campaign urging residents and businesses to save energy and support Earth Hour 2026.

With the theme ‘Green Innovation - Green Future,’ the Earth Hour 2026 program calls for clean transport adoption, efficient energy use, and lifestyle changes to promote sustainability.

In related news, rising gasoline prices linked to Middle East tensions are reshaping consumer behavior in Vietnam.

The conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran in the Middle East since February 28 and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply is shipped, have severely restricted transport, driving fuel prices sharply higher.

In major Vietnamese cities like Ho Chi Minh City, bus ridership nearly doubled from 153,396 passengers on March 1 to 304,591 on March 10.

The city’s metro line No. 1 also saw a surge, peaking at 78,126 passengers on March 20.

Many commuters, including 34-year-old Nguyen My Hanh from Binh Trung Ward and 25-year-old Cao Duy Luan from Ben Thanh Ward, said they are shifting from motorbikes and ride-hailing services to public transport, cutting costs and reducing emissions.