Identifying operational challenges

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, during the upcoming National Day holiday, maximum temperatures in the northern and north-central regions are expected to range from 28–32°C. Some areas may experience showers and thunderstorms due to the impact of Storm No. 4 (Narra). Central Vietnam is expected to continue experiencing hot weather, with maximum temperatures of 32-35°C and some areas in the South Central Coast exceeding 37°C. The Central Highlands and southern region are forecast to see thunderstorms, mainly in the late afternoon and evening.

As is typical each year, electricity demand nationwide is expected to fall significantly during the September 2 holiday, with loads on public holidays reaching only around 70–80% of those on normal working days. With the holiday lasting five consecutive days, from August 29 to September 2, 2026, electricity consumption is forecast to remain low throughout the holiday period.

Given the sharp decline in electricity demand during the holiday and the rapid increase immediately after it ends, the National Power System and Market Operation Company (NSMO) has identified five major operational challenges: balancing the dispatch of different power sources under low-load conditions; controlling grid voltage when voltage levels tend to rise; maintaining system stability and security as system inertia declines; operating hydropower reservoirs in compliance with inter-reservoir procedures while making efficient use of water resources; and maintaining an appropriate configuration of coal-fired thermal power plants so they are ready to meet the surge in demand immediately after the holiday.

Ensuring the highest level of readiness

In response, and in implementation of Directive No. 21/CT-BCT dated December 10, 2025, issued by the Minister of Industry and Trade on ensuring power supply during holidays, Tet and major cultural and political events in 2026, NSMO has proactively developed and implemented a comprehensive range of measures.

NSMO has coordinated with Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT), power transmission companies, and power corporations/power companies to review and ensure the highest level of readiness of equipment across the power system. Adequate personnel, vehicles, equipment and materials have also been arranged to promptly address defects and abnormalities during the holiday.

For power generation units, including Lao power plants connected to Vietnam's power system, NSMO is coordinating efforts to maximize unit availability, ensure adequate fuel supplies and review voltage regulation capabilities to help reduce system voltage during off-peak periods.

NSMO is also working with suppliers of coal, gas and LNG to ensure stable fuel supplies for power generation throughout the National Day holiday.

Earlier, on the afternoon of August 24, 2026, NSMO and its branches held a meeting to review system operation and prepare plans to ensure safe operation of the power system during the National Day holiday.

Based on calculations of the national power system's operating modes, NSMO has developed a reasonable generation dispatch plan among regions, reduced transmission loading on the North-South 500 kV corridor, avoided excess generation during off-peak hours and ensured sufficient capacity during peak periods. At the same time, NSMO will flexibly adjust capacitor banks and reactive power to prevent high-voltage conditions and overloading of grid elements.

To ensure that operating plans are implemented in a coordinated manner and that the system is prepared for all situations, NSMO's leadership has instructed its departments and units to closely monitor developments in national power system operations and proactively develop and implement appropriate plans to ensure safe, stable and continuous system operation throughout the holiday. Leadership and operational standby forces will also be strengthened to ensure sufficient personnel are available to respond promptly to incidents and abnormal situations.

Accordingly, specialized departments have been assigned specific tasks to minimize factors that could affect the safety and stability of the power system during the holiday. The System Dispatch Department has been tasked with reviewing and assessing grid-related work on the 500 kV network that could affect power supply, and recommending that such work be suspended, postponed or rescheduled where necessary. Work on the grid will be minimized on September 1–2.

NSMO's leadership has instructed the Electricity Market Operation Department to prepare the sequence for suspending reserve generation sources in the operating plans for the holiday, ensuring a minimum configuration of coal-fired thermal generation and minimum system inertia to meet requirements for safe, stable and continuous power system operation.

The Electricity Market Operation Department will coordinate with the System Dispatch Department to arrange frequency regulation resources in the northern, central and southern regions, ensuring operational flexibility, particularly on September 1–2. Alongside preparations for operating modes and power sources, NSMO will strengthen operational standby forces to ensure a rapid response to any situations that may arise.

The Information Technology and SCADA Department has been tasked with ensuring infrastructure supporting power system dispatch and electricity market operations at the Data Center at 11 Duy Tan Street. It will also review UPS and diesel generator backup supplies and coordinate with the building management unit to ensure auxiliary power supplies for NSMO and NSO.

At the regional power system dispatch centers, corresponding measures have also been implemented in line with the operational characteristics of each area. The Northern, Central and Southern Regional Power System Dispatch Centers (NSO, CSO and SSO) are proactively carrying out their respective tasks, reviewing and minimizing work on the 220/110 kV grids on September 1-2, and coordinating with power corporations to regulate voltage during the holiday.

The Operating Modes Department has been tasked with reviewing protection relay systems, particularly at locations where requests have been made to lock the F81 function, to ensure safe power system operation.

In addition to monitoring the grid and generation resources, weather developments and the output potential of renewable energy sources will be closely monitored so that operating plans can be updated promptly. The Renewable Energy Department will continuously monitor weather conditions and renewable energy forecasts, providing timely updates and reports to the Operations Board to support direction, operation and coordination in updating daily operating plans.

NSMO will continue to closely coordinate with relevant units and prepare operating plans to ensure a safe and stable power supply throughout the 2026 National Day holiday.