The activity aimed to implement directives from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to “get straight to work” following the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday.

Regarding flexible dispatch and safe power system operation during the Tet holiday

Nguyen Duc Ninh, Director General of the National Power System and Market Operator (NSMO), reported to the Deputy Minister and the working delegation that the total produced and imported electricity in the first two months of 2026 is expected to reach 48 billion kWh. This figure represents a 6.52% increase compared to the same period in 2025, with average daily output at approximately 813.6 million kWh. By February 23, 2026, the system's peak capacity reached 48,645MW, an increase of 7.01%.

Given the favorable water conditions, NSMO has coordinated with relevant units to mobilize hydropower economically, maximizing water storage until the end of March to prepare for the peak dry season.

In January 2026, hydropower output from water inflows reached approximately 5.2 billion kWh. By February 22, the remaining electricity output in reservoirs reached 12,139.2 million kWh, exceeding both annual and monthly plans. At the end of the Lunar New Year holiday, the energy stored in reservoirs stood at 12.2 billion kWh, surpassing planned targets. By the end of February, the total system water storage is expected to remain approximately 484 million kWh higher than the plan.

Gas turbine sources were mobilized based on price offers, according to NSMO’s report during the Lunar New Year. Despite the load reduction, a minimum gas consumption of 4.2 to 5.2 million cubic meters per day was maintained, ensuring the safety of the Nam Con Son gas system. The power system fundamentally absorbed all renewable energy sources, even during this peak wind power generation period characterized by low demand.

During the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, NSMO coordinated with relevant units to operate the power system safely and stably, ensuring production and residential needs were met as planned. Although the Tet holiday load increased by approximately 11% compared to the same period in 2025, average daily power consumption remained at only 55-65% of a typical working day.

To prepare for the 2026 dry season, NSMO established a Power Supply Steering Committee early on, developing load growth scenarios ranging from 6.19% to 9.01%. The operator also proposed solutions to strengthen the power grid, compensate for reactive power, study BESS installation, and ensure fuel supplies for power generation. Calculations indicate that the power system will fundamentally meet demand, though risks of peak capacity shortages in the North remain during extreme heatwaves.

Furthermore, NSMO chaired meetings with EVN, PV GAS, and power generation units to finalize input parameters for the March and 2026 dry season operating plans. The unit also completed several tasks assigned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade regarding the legal framework for the competitive electricity market and amendments to the Law on Electricity.

Institutional completion and dispatch infrastructure upgrading

At the working session, NSMO also reported on several key tasks for 2026, alongside proposals and recommendations regarding construction investment, modernization of dispatch infrastructure, and the electricity market. Additional focus was placed on personnel organization, power system operations, and the completion of relevant legal documents.

Following the reports from NSMO leadership, representatives from the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam and the Department of Oil, Gas, and Coal expressed their consensus and high appreciation for NSMO’s recent achievements, while providing feedback on the company’s proposals and recommendations.

Concluding the session, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long directed NSMO and relevant units to urgently coordinate with local authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. This cooperation aims to review and adjust reservoir operation procedures for greater flexibility, ensuring power system efficiency. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister emphasized the need to urge investors to accelerate the commercial operation schedules of key power source and grid projects.

The Deputy Minister emphasized the requirement to enhance system management capacity, particularly regarding the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Regarding institutional completion, Nguyen Hoang Long affirmed that amending the Law on Electricity is a key task to institutionalize Central resolutions, remove legal overlaps, and shift the mindset from management to development support. Specialized units were requested to proactively contribute feedback and proposals based on operational realities to refine the long-term legal framework and thoroughly address institutional bottlenecks.